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

Upon complication of this course:

  1. The student can demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the seminal and the latest academic research in organizational innovation, dynamic capabilities, strategic and corporate entrepreneurship, organizational renewal, ambidexterity, and managerial capabilities

  2. The student can analyze, evaluate, and reflect upon
    1. why established companies lose their growth momentum, and their innovative and renewal capabilities over time;
    2. why and how by building capabilities a company can foster its growth and renewal potential.

  3. The student can apply analytical techniques, tools and frameworks taught in the class on a group project
    1. by evaluating a company's innovation or renewal strategy/capabilities; and 
    2. by producing original work to resolve challenges the company may be facing in developing innovation and renewal capabilities.

  4. The student can reflect upon what managerial capabilities are needed if he/she wants to drive entrepreneurial and renewal initiatives within existing companies.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 10.01.2022 - 28.02.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Marina Biniari

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course focuses on the domain of organizational renewal and growth, by drawing on the framework of dynamic capabilities, and on tools companies can employ to access and design their internal environment to a) sense new opportunities, b) seize them, and c) reconfigure their sets. Such tools include the experimentation with business models to build ventures, the adoption of an ambidextrous mindset in managing and transforming innovation portfolios, the development of an entrepreneurial strategy and an ambidextrous culture, the reconfiguration of structures and resource leveraging systems. The course also focuses on the managerial capabilities needed to support the development of dynamic capabilities.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Attendance is not compulsory, but it is rewarded. There are two forms of assessment: 

    a) Individual-level assessment based on class contribution through individual essays and class participation (50% of the final grade)

    b) Group-level assessment based on contribution and participation in a group project (50% of the final grade)

    The evaluation criteria of the submitted work (individual essays and deliverable of the group project) for the assessment of this course include four areas: Understanding, depth of knowledge, structure, and overall evaluation. Each criterion is of equal importance and weight in calculating the final grade of each assessment. Each criterion is assessed on a scale from 0(0-49%) to 5(90-100%).

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Attendance is not compulsory, but it is rewarded.

    - Contact hours: 22 hours (10x2 hours of teaching sessions; 1x2 hours for coaching on a group project)
    - Group assessment: 55-60 hours
    - Individual assessment: 15-20 hours
    - Self-study: 30-35 hours

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course draws on the theoretical framework of dynamic capabilities, and on the literature of corporate entrepreneurship, organization innovation, corporate venturing, ambidexterity, and firm growth.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Although a variety of pedagogical methods will be used, classroom time will revolve primarily around the critical reflection on theoretical concepts and frameworks (assigned readings per teaching session), and around the critical analysis of case studies. As a result, class attendance and participation are highly advised, but not mandatory.

    Information on how the evaluation criteria are applied to students' assessments, and how and when feedback is provided:

    1. For the group project, students will be given a breakdown of how they performed on each evaluation criterion when they receive the final grade for the group project. During the project, the students will receive continuous feedback on the project through two formal coaching sessions that will be offered during the length of the course. Students are highly recommended to engage with the responsible teacher and seek feedback while working on the group project to improve their progress and their performance.

    2. For the individual assessment, students will receive shortly after the submission of each individual essay a grade on their essay and generic feedback that is drawn on how all students have performed on the same essay and on general suggestions on how students can improve on their performance. An individual breakdown of each evaluation criterion on individual essays can be requested and will be provided when requested, but individualized feedback will be provided after students have provided some reflections on how they compare their performance in relation to the generic feedback provided. Generic feedback on how to improve on individual assessment is also provided in each teaching session, verbally. So students who attend the teaching sessions can also benefit in this way.

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Spring III-V

    2021-2022 Spring III-V

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=TU-E1021

    Registration for Courses: In the academic year 2021-2022, registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi) instead of WebOodi.

    The number of students is limited due to the case teaching approach and the requirements of the group project. Students have given priority as follows: 1) students of the Master's Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management, 2) students of the Master's Programme in Information Networks 3) students minoring in Creativity and Venturing, Strategy and Corporate Renewal, People, Organizing and Change, and Startup Minor. All other students will be chosen through a separate application process in December and before the course starts. Bachelor students will be considered only if they have completed their bachelor thesis. A limited number of places are available for exchange students. More information on the application process can be found on the website of the course. Please note that it is not sufficient to enroll in Oodi.