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2020/2021  KAN-CSIEO2021U  Strategic Management and Innovation

English Title
Strategic Management and Innovation

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter, Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Social Sciences
Course coordinator
  • Madeleine Rauch - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Innovation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 14-12-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Describe strategic management frameworks, apply them to cases across industries and discuss their merits and limitations
  • Evaluate how to translate strategic analysis into strategy implementation and specific courses of action
  • Discuss firm positioning in the context of different markets, industries and locations
  • Explain innovation-relevant theories with attention to their assumptions, causal dynamics and applicability
  • Discuss the ethical implications of management decisions
Examination
Strategic Management and Innovation:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course explores strategic management choices along with the role of innovation in creating sustainable competitive advantage. The sessions explore actors’ choices as they formulate, implement, test and adapt a variety of strategies to compete in domestic and foreign markets. It introduces frameworks and tools to: 1) analyze organizations in their industry context; 2) design and execute a coherent strategy; 3) structure an organization and design processes, systems, and practices to support this strategy. Concepts such as value creation, product diversification, internationalization, clustering and open innovation will be explored to understand how entrepreneurs manage innovation inside and outside of the boundaries of organizations. 

 

The course is structured in two modules. Module 1 introduces firm level strategies and walks students through the process of strategic management. They learn to analyze the external environment of organizations, including the institutional and industry environments. They then analyze organizations’ internal resources and their role for strategic positioning. Module 2 focuses on internal growth strategies, such as product diversification, internationalization, and innovation in business models, products and management practices. Each session combines theoretical readings with case discussions and encourages students to understand and apply abstract frameworks, but also discuss their limitations.


Using case studies of both successful and failed strategies and experiences of guest speakers, students explore how executives are able to recognize opportunities for innovation and strategically respond to such opportunities. The curriculum provides tools to formulate action plans for sustainable competitive advantage and to discuss their merits and downside risks.
Description of the teaching methods
Teaching methods include case study analysis, group discussions, lectures, and guest speakers. Students are expected to prepare readings and cases prior to each session and to actively participate in class.
Feedback during the teaching period
Written feedback on one individual assignmemt and the midterm project.
In-class feedback on cases.
Office hours.
Student workload
Course activities (including preparation) 132 hours
Exam (including exam preparation) 74 hours
Expected literature
  • Course pack
  • Grant, R.M. (2016) Contemporary Strategy Analysis Text Only (9th Edition). Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.
Last updated on 14-12-2020