Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course the student will (1) have a concise and updated overview on the core knowledge of marketing; (2) be able to apply the knowledge by identifying, analyzing and solving a real-life business problem, and improve his/her (3) team-working skills, (4) presentation skills, (5) negotiation skills, and (6) project management skills. In addition, the student will develop self-awareness of what he/she has learned and skills and competencies he/she possesses facilitating his/her entering to the work life and by doing so, also provides feedback for the program. In brief, the course creates closure , ensuring that learning goals of the Aalto MSc degree/program(s) have been fulfilled.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 12.03.2021 - 26.05.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Lasse Mitronen
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Lasse Mitronen
Contact information for the course (valid 16.02.2021-21.12.2112):
Prof. Lasse Mitronen, lasse.mitronen@aalto.fi
Ph.D. Lauri Paavola, lauri.paavola@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The students (in teams of 3) select a core topic in the area marketing, and update and share their knowledge on the topic with their peers. Thereafter, the teams identify and get access to real-life case firms and negotiate and agree on a problem-solving project (e.g., objectives, scope) with the firms. The end-results of the project are (1) presentation for the firm representatives on how the problem is/could be solved, and (2) a case study report resembling a Harvard Business School style case study, which a) has a clear theme within the domain of marketing, b) uses academic and/or theoretical reasoning to explain and justify analysis, c) a problem solving structure with a pre-problem setup and a post-problem solution, d) a description of concrete activities in solving the case and e) implications for generalizing the finding for learning purposes.
Applies in this implementation:
Project/team-work includes (1) reading the literature
and preparing the team presentation on the selected topic, (2) case access, (3)
development/problem solving task for the case firm, (4) preparing the team
presentation on the development task and the suggested solution, (5) writing up
the academic case.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
40%: Project outcome and the final presentation
40%: Case study report; equal weight on analytical thinking, learning setup and practical relevance
10%: Individual two-page reflection paper on the project
10%: Project contributionApplies in this implementation:
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
6 credits, 160 hours
- Individual assignment (i.e., one case pre-reading, reflection paper): 4 h
- Weekly meetings (compulsory) (7x4h): 28h
- Project/team work (e.g. case firm access, problem solving task for the case firm, preparing for team presentations, writing up the academic case): 128 hours
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
One Harvard Business Case or former Case report from the previous course distributed by the teachers; selection of ABS4 and ABS3-ranked journal articles on the selected topics
Substitutes for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Course can be covered by 57E00600 Hackathon project
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Strongly recommended for second year MSc students. Available only to M.Sc. Marketing major students.
Registration for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Course is mandatory and only available to M.Sc. Marketing major students. Acceptance to the course is granted by registration through WebOodi.
Applies in this implementation:
Suggestions for topics:
(1) New Product Launch/Commercialization; (2) Service Business;(3) B2C marketing/consumer behavior; (4) Networks and
Alliances; (5) Organizational Buying Behavior; (6) Customer Relationship
Management; (7) Key Account Management/Sales; (8) Brand Management; (9) Marketing Communications; (10) Digital
Marketing; (11) Distribution Strategy; (12) E-commerce; (13) Retail Marketing;
(14) Market Entry
Strategy; (15) Business Model Transformation; (16) Sustainable Marketing.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
17 Partnerships for the Goals
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Course is mandatory and only available to M.Sc. Marketing major students. Some students will get the opportunity to replace this capstone course by participating in the so-called Hackathon-capstone. Course teaching of academic year 2021-22 will be confirmed later.
Students can, on legitimate grounds, apply for credit transfer for the capstone course or substitute the course with another Aalto University course. (Exchange studies abroad, serious illness, working life and its restraints are not considered legitimate reasons not to complete the capstone course). Deviating from the common credit transfer policy at the School of Business (BIZ), students have to initiate a request for credit transfer pre-approval for their proposed course to substitute the capstone course. To apply for credit transfer the request form is available at Into. Based on the student s credit transfer application for substitution the teacher in charge of the capstone course will evaluate and decide on whether the by the student proposed course will meet the BIZ capstone course requirements.
Applies in this implementation:
Suggestions for topics:
(1) New Product Launch/Commercialization; (2) Service Business;(3) B2C marketing/consumer behavior; (4) Networks and
Alliances; (5) Organizational Buying Behavior; (6) Customer Relationship
Management; (7) Key Account Management/Sales; (8) Brand Management; (9) Marketing Communications; (10) Digital
Marketing; (11) Distribution Strategy; (12) E-commerce; (13) Retail Marketing;
(14) Market Entry
Strategy; (15) Business Model Transformation; (16) Sustainable Marketing.