Administration (ADMN) 415

Overview

In ADMN 415: Strategy & Technology Innovation you will examine the strategies, tools, methods, and mechanisms that companies must implement to maximize their likelihood of success in the emerging and disruptive economy.

Lesson 1 introduces the course and underlines the importance of technological innovation in society and the economy. Unit 1, which consists of Lessons 2–5, explores the industry dynamics that shape the decisions and actions of individual firms. Unit 2, which consists of Lessons 6–9, covers the primary tools that help organizations develop a successful innovation strategy. Unit 3, which consists of Lessons 10–13, tackles the organizational and logistical questions of how firms implement their strategies.

There are many ways to approach the complex world of technological innovation, though different frameworks often overlap and tackle similar topics from slightly different perspectives. The reading assignments and activities presented in the course will help you broaden your understanding of this dynamic field. To receive credit for ADMN 415 you will participate in discussion forums for each lesson, complete an assignment at the end of each unit, and write a final examination at the end of the course.

The concepts in this course apply to many different industries as well as not-for-profit organizations, as the fast pace of technological change affects a wide variety of businesses and institutions. Through studying a mix of the conceptual and the practical, you will learn to think broadly about strategy as it is informed by the real-world application of technology.

Outline

Course Overview and Introduction

• Lesson 1: The Importance of Technological Innovation

Unit 1: Industry Dynamics of Technological Innovation

• Lesson 2: Sources of Innovation
• Lesson 3: Types and Patterns of Innovation
• Lesson 4: Standards Battles and Design Dominance
• Lesson 5: Timing of Entry
• Assignment 1

Unit 2: Formulating Technological Innovation Strategy

• Lesson 6: Defining the Organization’s Strategic Direction
• Lesson 7: Choosing Innovation Projects
• Lesson 8: Collaboration Strategies
• Lesson 9: Protecting Innovation
• Assignment 2

Unit 3: Implementing Technological Innovation Strategy

• Lesson 10: Organizing for Innovation
• Lesson 11: Managing the New Product Development Process
• Lesson 12: Managing New Product Development Teams
• Lesson 13: Crafting a Deployment Strategy
• Assignment 3

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to

1. discuss the importance, role, and impact of technological innovation in our complex and disruptive world.
2. explain the importance for business leaders of an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of innovation, a well-crafted technological innovation strategy, and a well-developed process for implementing such a strategy.
3. analyze the industry dynamics of technological innovation and describe the role played by sources and types of innovation, dominant designs, and timing of entry.
4. describe the process of formulating and implementing a technological innovation strategy; identify the key considerations that should be addressed in each step.
5. explain how decisions about selecting projects, approaching collaboration, and protecting innovations contribute to the formulation of a technological innovation strategy.
6. explain how organizational structures, product development processes, team management, and deployment options contribute to the implementation of an innovation strategy.
7. assess the strategic decisions made in a variety of scenarios; discuss issues to be addressed, identify available options, and evaluate the relative benefits of possible approaches.
8. identify the analyses that should be conducted at different stages in the process of strategy formulation and implementation.
9. describe and evaluate the relative merits of analytical models and methods for strategy formulation and implementation.
10. determine which technology strategy approaches are appropriate to apply in a variety of scenarios.

Evaluation

To receive credit for ADMN 415 you must submit all three written assignments, participate in online discussions, achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the Final Examination, and receive an overall course grade of D (50 percent).

The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

Materials

Digital course materials

Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:

Schilling, M. A. (2023). Strategic management of technological innovation (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-1-264-08093-9

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Challenge for credit

Overview

The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Evaluation

To receive credit for the ADMN 415 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services at AU