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2023/2024  KAN-CIBSO2064U  Global Strategy and Technology

English Title
Global Strategy and Technology

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for cand.merc. and GMA (CM)
Course coordinator
  • Björn Jindra - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Information technology
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 01-06-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
1. To develop an understanding of how technology adds business value to an international firm. The goal is to identify specific mechanisms of value creation that can be easily deployed, as well as develop skills needed to map out company strategy while considering technology issues.
  • 2. To understand issues involved in launching and offering technology services and products globally.
  • 3. To develop an appreciation of technology strategy as an integral and significant part of the overall competitive firm strategy.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
To be admitted to the final exam, a student must get 1 of the following 2 activities approved. Examples of “technology” in each activity include AI, blockchain, platform, internet of things, social media analytics, 3D printing.

1. Technologies in developing countries (group written assignment)

Your consulting team is retained by the government of a developing country. Your task is to identify a promising technology that the country should invest in pursuing. The promise of the technology could be due, for example, to economic or social development of the country, creating export industries etc. Produce a report on the potential impact of a technology of your choice on that country in which you:
- Motivate the choice of that particular technology for that particular country.
- Describe how the country should develop competence in that technology.
- Include an estimate of costs and benefits, and a timeline.
Other aspects can be included as well. The end product shall be a consulting report, written by a team of up to 5 students, of a maximum 10 pages (including any tables, figures and references).

2. Technology-supported strategic initiative (group oral presentation)

Pick a company. Develop a strategic initiative within that company that would be supported by a technology of your choice. Present your initiative to the “company board” (represented by the instructor and the rest of the class). Your presentation should describe the need for the initiative, the target market (geography, demographic segment; or, if the initiative is internal, company units), an analysis of costs, the expected return on investment and projected timeline. Other aspects can be discussed as well. This is a group activity with a max of 5 students per team. Each team will have 10 minutes to present and 5 minutes for Q&A.

Students will not have extra opportunities to get the required number of compulsory activities approved prior to the ordinary exam. If a student has not received approval of the required number of compulsory activities or has been ill, the student cannot participate in the ordinary exam.
If a student prior to the retake is still missing approval for the required number of compulsory activities and meets the pre-conditions set out in the program regulations, an extra assignment is possible.

The extra assignment is a 10 page home assignment that will cover the required number of compulsory activities. If approved, the student will be able to attend retake.
Examination
Global Strategy and Technology:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 15 pages
Assignment type Case based assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course focuses on strategic issues firms face in the use of technology and development of technology innovations in global markets. It examines two levels: the business and the customer. The business part focuses on how technology can be used to add value to the business, assist in a globalized innovation process and tap into new and unconventional sources of creativity and expertise. The customer part examines strategy in technology products and services, with the focus on the global appeal of technology and business models in the development and post-launch phases of technology products and services.

 

The course emphasizes business over technology-specific issues.
Description of the teaching methods
This course is taught in Harvard-style case method, which involves energetic class discussion and interaction. 50% of class time is devoted to case discussion. Case discussion is complemented by brief lectures that summarize and provide additional insights on the class topic. The bulk of student knowledge develops through in-class case discussions. Thus preparation and class participation is essential for students to do well in the course.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students will receive feedback from the instructor each class during case discussions, as well as for the activities they choose to participate in to be admitted to the exam.
Student workload
Class preparation 60 hours
Teaching 33 hours
Exam preparation 20 hours
Examination 12 hours
Last updated on 01-06-2023