Administration (ADMN) 415

Overview

ADMN 415: Strategy and Technology Innovation is a three-credit, senior-level course at Athabasca University in which you will learn how companies can strategically manage innovation and new product development. This course examines the strategies, tools, methods, and mechanisms companies need to implement in order to maximize their likelihood of success. Technology innovation is considered to be a powerful means for companies to survive and compete in their markets. Through studying a mix of the conceptual and the practical, you will think broadly about strategy as it is informed by the real-world application of e-technology.

The concepts in this course apply to a variety of industries, including traditional organizations just beginning to integrate Internet-enabled information technology into business practices as well as businesses that understand the Internet but may not have mastered the underlying processes that enable flawless execution. The course may also be of interest to those involved in not-for-profit organizations. These agencies need to reach as many potential donors as possible and in the most cost-effective way. In the environment in which most not-for-profit agencies find themselves, administrative resources must be used wisely. The Internet supports achievement of all these objectives.

Outline

• Lesson 1: The Importance 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
• Lesson 6: Defining the Organization’s Strategic Direction
• Lesson 7: Choosing Innovation Projects
• Lesson 8: Collaboration Strategies
• Lesson 9: Protecting Innovation
• 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

Evaluation

To receive credit for ADMN 415 you must complete three written assignments and the final examination, as well as participate in the online Discussion Forums. Your final mark will be a weighted average of the grades you receive on these activities. You must achieve an overall course grade of at least “D” (50 percent). In addition, you must achieve a minimum grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the final examination. If your examination grade is below this minimum grade, you will not receive credit for this course, even if your overall course grade exceeds “D” (50 percent).

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.

The textbook publisher is offering a print-on-demand option in which you may purchase an unbound copy of the textbook at a discounted rate; you can also acquire a print textbook on your own, if you wish.

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they 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 for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

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

Online Exam

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form