This course aims to teach managers to make strategies for innovation in technology ecosystems and platforms. Specifically, we focus on mastering the creation of such ecosystems and platforms. The concept of technology ecosystems draws on evolutionary economics which, inspired by evolutionary biology and ecology, treats the economy like a complex system where technologies and companies cooperate and compete to survive in an evolving environment. Evolution is, indeed, a process of continuous change. According to this perspective, companies behave like living organisms that compete for scarce resources in dynamic environments. Companies change to adapt to the environment as do biological organisms. In response to changing external conditions, strategies of the companies in the system coevolve, so that innovation in one company produces change in others, leading to new ecosystem configurations.
Create strategies
Students should leave the course better prepared for the business landscape of today. The goal is not for students to only ace the tests, but to create real strategies and innovations that foment the success of Bavarian and global technology ecosystems.
Conceptual understanding
Students will thus learn theories and frameworks that enable them to contextualize new business challenges and select adequate strategies for innovation in technology ecosystems and platforms.
Practical application
Theoretical frameworks are however of no use if they are not implemented. Therefore, students learn through practical case studies how to apply the frameworks in different situations. They are also made aware of common pitfalls and obstacles that meet managers in the context of technology ecosystems.
Tested skills
The course hence provides skills in managerial strategy- and decision-making which are practiced through the case-based tests, where students need to identify the appropriate strategy to follow.
Continued learning
In addition to the main content goals of this course, students will also develop their learning skills. Through video discussion of management texts, students get accustomed to managerial language and will later be able to follow international managerial discussions, both in person and in text.