MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

In general, the course covers two main concepts: innovation management, and entrepreneurship. The course starts by analyzing how organizations could efficiently manage innovations and how these could support their success. Moreover, considering the importance of management of innovation within the modern organization, the course will analyze the different managerial solutions and how they support in the development of innovation within the organization and limit the possible threats that a disruptive innovation could have on the organization. A focus will be made on how the same opportunities could be explored by entrepreneurial activities and how entrepreneurs define their business model and their strategic positioning in the market. Particular attention will be given to the possibility to develop an organization that could exploit the important technological innovation to resolve social and environmental problems, avoiding that the same technologies damage society.

Good knowledge of English is required (oral and written). Compulsory

Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the course, students should be able to: • use the conceptual frameworks, tools and analytical resources to understand innovation process within organizations • comprehend the organization role in the development innovation and the main mechanisms that organization can activate • understand the main challenges and opportunities of innovation and their role in the success or failure of the organization • develop a critical understanding of how entrepreneurial activities could propose and define innovation ideas. Throughout the class, students will study different cases of organization and new ventures that develop innovative ideas or peculiar organizational structures in support of innovation. 1) Applying knowledge & understanding Upon completion of this course, students should be able: · To evaluate the managerial implications of the development of innovation. · Interpret innovative scenarios and define possible solutions for the management of the innovation. · Students will be stimulated to have an innovative mindset, which is necessary to tackle the new challenges · To define the basis of new business ideas and analyze its feasibility from a managerial prospective 2) Making Judgments Upon completing the study program, students will be able to: · Prepare original business plans and models supported by data and market analysis. During the course, students will be asked to analyze innovation opportunities, business models and provide suggestions. The course is based on inquiry-based learning. Solutions to problems and customer needs needed to be developed and discussed. 3) Communication skills Upon completing the study program, students will be able to: • develop the ability to communicate in oral form through the final exam and the class debate; • use the notions and the communication of business of innovation. • use specific terminology of entrepreneurship 4) Learning skills Upon completing the study program, students will be able to: • build an analytic toolbox from both innovation and entrepreneurship: • solve problems in dynamics settings and develop critical positions. This ability will be acquired through: class participation, class debate, and research carried out for the team project. Collaborative online learning tools will also be used.

The course is divided into two main streams that are complementary: The theoretical stream will offer the foundations of innovation and entrepreneurial knowledge. The course starts by analyzing how organizations could efficiently manage innovations and how these could support their success. Moreover, considering the importance of management of innovation within the modern organization, the course will analyze the different managerial solutions and how they support in the development of innovation within the organization and limit the possible threats that a disruptive innovation could have on the organization. A focus will be made on how the same opportunities could be explored by entrepreneurial activities and how entrepreneurs define their business model and their strategic positioning in the market. Particular attention will be given to the possibility to develop an organization that could exploit the important technological innovation to resolve social and environmental problems, avoiding that the same technologies damage society. New perspectives for firms will be explored, including open innovation, servitization, and business ecosystems. The practical section of the course will then focus on the role of the entrepreneur in finding new opportunities and applications for new technologies. Innovation does not necessarily require the use of new technologies, but it is important to examine also how a new combination of elements and exploitation of new market niche could support the development of innovation. At the end of the course will examine how these opportunities are exploited by start-ups and organizations through the definition of new business models. The practical sessions will host a series of company experts, to provide real-life cases and discussions. Moreover, the students will apply what they have learnt through the development of innovative solutions in teams.

The analysis of very recent or current issues means that it is impossible to refer to a specific textbook. The slides, referring to a given lesson, will be made available through the learning platform (learn.luiss.it) as well as the reading materials that are assigned to each lesson.

Teaching methods will be a mix of lectures, exercises, case discussions, workshops and team presentations to provide a mix of theory and hands-on developing entrepreneurial ideas and business models. Students are asked to read carefully class materials beforehand; to take part into class discussions; to comply with writing and project assignments. Each student will be expected to provide insightful and convincing arguments concerning the cases and articles. Students are expected to attend regularly to the course.

General Assessment The grade is based on: • 50% Final project (group work) • 30% Individual presentation of the group work and oral exam • 10% Participation Attendance: mandatory