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2026/2027  KAN-CPOLO1902U  Global Innovation Strategies

English Title
Global Innovation Strategies

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Global Business and Politics
Programme MSc in International Business and Politics
Course coordinator
  • Grazia Santangelo - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Innovation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 30-01-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify, evaluate and discuss key theories, frameworks and models in relation to global innovation strategies
  • Identify, evaluate, and analyze firms’ challenges to access, transfer and use globally dispersed knowledge
  • Evaluate and assess the role of different types of knowledge and institutions in firms’ innonvation-related strategy-making
  • Identify, evaluate and apply different theoretical perspectives on firms’ innovation-related strategy-making
  • Analyze business case studies by applying relevant concepts and theoretical perspectives on global innovation strategies
Examination
Global Innovation Strategies:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Aids Closed book: no aids
However, at all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office365 (minus Excel), document camera and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Reader DC, PDF24, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player – ATTENTION no sound allowed), and the student is allowed to bring simple writing and drawing utensils (non-digital). PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
A new exam assignment must be answered. This applies to all students (failed, ill, or otherwise)
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of today's global innovation strategies. It builds on different theoretical perspectives and extensively discusses company cases. The course consists of three parts. The first part revolves around the knowledge-based view of the firm as a theoretical lens to understand knowledge-related strategies across the globe. The second part outlines the role of institutions in influencing how firms strategize their knowledge-related assets around the world. The last part examines the phenomenon of global knowledge sourcing, the motives, patterns, and geography of the phenomenon.

 

In relation to Nordic Nine

The Global Innovation Strategy course addresses NN4, NN5 and NN9. It provides students an understanding of how companies can enhance their competitiveness by strategizing on their innovation and knowledge-related assets while helping solve societal issues (NN4). It explores the ethical dilemmas that corporate decision-makers face when developing new knowledge across institutional contexts with different ethical standards (NN5). By embracing a global perspective, the course also implements NN9 by shedding light on how globally dispersed corporations can create values by tapping into local expertise and connecting them across borders.

  • NN4: You are competitive in business and compassionate in society
  • NN5: You understand ethical dilemmas and have the leadership values to overcome them
  • NN9: You create value from global connections to local communities
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
Lectures, exercise and workshop classes
Feedback during the teaching period
Students will get feedback during in-class case discussions, quizzes, and a workshop on a past years' exam. Attendance and active participation in the class will also secure continuous feedback. Faculty staff members teaching the course are available during office hours.
Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work, etc.) 120 hours
Lectures/ class exercises / “homework café”/ workshops etc. 32 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 75 hours
Expected literature

The literature is based on academic articles. The following texts represent examples of the reading list.

Alcacer, J., & Chung, W. (2007) Location strategies and knowledge spillovers. Management Science,  53 (5), 760-776.

Chung, W., & Yeaple, S. (2008) International knowledge sourcing: Evidence from US firms expanding abroad. Strategic Management Journal, 29 (11), 1207-1224.

D'Agostino, LM, Laursen, K., & Santangelo, GD (2013) The impact of R&D offshoring on the home knowledge production of OECD investing regions. Journal ofEconomic Geography, 13 (1): 145-175.

Grant, RM (1996) Toward a knowledge-based theory of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 17 (S2), 109-122.

Luo, Y. (2022). Illusions of techno-nationalism. Journal of International Business Studies, 1-18.

Zhao, M. (2006) Conducting R&D in countries with weak intellectual property rights protection. Management Science,  52 (8), 1185-1199.

 
Last updated on 30-01-2026