Technology, Strategy and Innovation

The course explores the strategic management of technology and innovation within organisations. The course provides students with an understanding of the innovation process, the characteristics of technologies, and the principles of innovation management. Students will learn how to integrate innovation management with business strategies and technological competencies while developing their ability to analyse strategic management frameworks.

Through engaging lectures, interactive seminars, and practical case studies, students will apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, gaining insights into the challenges and opportunities of managing technology and innovation. This course equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in dynamic industries, preparing them for roles in such areas as innovation management, product development, and strategic planning. 

BMAN20792 is a free choice option for students with prior agreement from their home schools. 

The aim of the course is to develop students’ understanding of the key issues and theoretical frameworks involved in designing technology strategies and managing innovation within both national and international contexts.

It covers the principles of innovation management and their integration with business strategies and technological competencies. Students will learn core frameworks for analysing the strategic management of technologies, including their practical strengths and limitations. The course also offers opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to organisational contexts through case studies, discussions, and targeted readings. 
 

Ultimately, the course equips students with the professional, practical, and transferable skills needed to address real-world challenges in technology and innovation management. 

Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):

     Week 1:  Introduction to the course

    Week 2:  The classification of innovations

    Week 3:  Organisations in a competitive environment

    Week 4:  Basics of strategic management in organisations

    Week 5:  Strategy implementation

    Week 6:  Collaboration, partnerships, and networks

    Week 7:  Open innovation strategies

    Week 8:  The internationalisation of research and technological development

    Week 9:  Technological standards and standards setting

    Week 10: Profiting from technological innovation

Methods of delivery: Lecture / Tutorials

Lecture hours: 10 (1 hours per week over 10 weeks)

Seminar hours: 10 (1 hour every week)

Private study: 80

Total study hours: 100

Informal Contact Methods

1. Office Hours

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of innovation processes and the characteristics of technologies in organisational contexts.

Apply theoretical frameworks to analyse the strategic management of technologies, identifying their strengths and limitations.

Critically evaluate the principles of innovation management and their integration with business strategies and technological competencies.

Critically analyse case studies to identify the key factors influencing technology strategy and innovation management.

Develop reasoned arguments on the impact of technological change on organisations, using appropriate theories and concepts.

Evaluate and synthesise information from multiple sources to address complex problems in technology and innovation management.

Use digital tools to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesise information relevant to technology and innovation management.

Communicate insights through well-structured presentations (group or individually written), using appropriate digital platforms.

Apply strategic frameworks to generic and real-world business scenarios, showing effective problem-solving skills.

Work effectively in teams or individually to analyse and solve problems, demonstrating collaboration, interpersonal skills, and individual motivation.

Reflect on personal learning and development, identifying specific areas for growth and creating plans to achieve future goals.

Exhibit professional conduct and ethical awareness in discussions of technology strategy and innovation.

Examination (80%)

Group presentation (20%)
 

- Informal advice and discussion during a lecture, seminar, workshop or lab.

- Responses to student emails and questions from a member of staff including feedback provided to a group via an online discussion forum.

- Written and/or verbal comments on assessed or non-assessed coursework via Canvas.

- Written and/or verbal comments after students have given a group or individual presentation via Canvas.

Core textbooks:

Schilling, M.A. (2019) Strategic management of technological innovation. 6th Edition. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Dodgson, M., Gann, D., and Salter, A. (2008) The management of technological innovation: Strategy and practice. 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Tidd, J., and Bessant, J.R. (2020) Managing innovation: Integrating technological, market and organizational change. 7th Edition. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Supplementary textbooks:

Galende, J. (2006). Analysis of Technological Innovation from Business Economics and Management. Technovation, 26(3): 300–311.

Henderson, R., & Clark, K. (1990). Architectural Innovation: The Reconfiguration of Existing Product Technologies and the Failure of Existing Firms. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(1): 9–30.

Teece, D.J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7): 509–533.

Mintzberg, H. (1987). Crafting Strategy. Harvard Business Review, 65(4): 66–75. 
Zahra, S.A. (1996). Technology Strategy and New Venture Performance. Journal of Business Venturing, 11(4): 289–321.

Chiesa, V., and Manzini, R. (1998) Organizing for technological collaborations: A managerial perspective. R&D Management, 28(3): pp.199–212

Chesbrough, H.W. (2003). Open Innovation. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.

Papanastassiou, M., Pearce, R., & Zanfei, A. (2020). Changing Perspectives on the Internationalisation of R&D and Innovation by Multinational Enterprises: A Review of the Literature. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(4): 623–664.

Farrell, J., and Saloner, G. (1985) Standardization, compatibility, and innovation. The RAND Journal of Economics, 16(1): pp.70–83.

Teece, D.J. (1986). Profiting from Technological Innovation: Implications for Integration, Collaboration, Licensing, and Public Policy. Research Policy, 15(6): 285–305. 
 

Pre-requisites - None

Co-requisites - N/A

Dependent Course Units - N/A

Programme Restrictions: 

The course is available as a free choice option to students who have received prior agreement from their registering School. 

It is not available to BSc in Management/Management (Specialism), IM, or ITMB. 

It is available to study abroad and for exchange students admitted through the University of Manchester’s International Programmes Office.