Topic outline

  • General

    UPDATES

    • 21.1.2021 Course total points published! Mycourses automatic count doesn't work: go to Assignments -> Course total points.
    • 21.1.2021 Exam results published!
    • 11.12. Reflective journal 5 evaluated
    • 10.12. Take home exam q&a updated (take home exam instructions section) and submission box opened (assignments section). 
    • 10.12. Reflective journal retake (any module) submission box opened.
    • 7.12. Exam questions published (Take home exam section)
    • 5.12. Exam q&a, summary video, and additional readings updated!
    • 4.12. Reflective journal 4 evaluated and commented
    • 1.12. Tuesday materials and Thursday video instructions uploaded (Module 5)
    • 27.11. Reflective journal 3 evaluated and commented
    • 25.11. Instructions for Thursday workshop (Module 4) added
    • 24.11. Module 4 Tuesday materials added
    • 20.11. Reflective journal 2 graded and commented!
    • 16.11. Tuesday materials updated (module 3)
    • 12.11. Thursday materials updated (module 2)
    • 11.11. Thursday workshop instructions added (module 2)
    • 10.11. Tuesday videos added (module 2), discussion forum added (scroll down - it is on this front page)
    • 9.11. Tuesday 10.11. slides updated (module 2)
    • 5.11. Thursday's materials (miro boards and result recordings) are in mycourses (Section: Module 1)
    • 3.11. Tuesday's materials are in mycourses (Section: Module 1). Miro board links for Thursday are also there. Video recordings added
    • 2.11. Course begins this Tuesday! Check "Module 1" section, there is one video to be watched and one article to be read for Tuesday
    • 25.10. Check "before the course" section, there are two easy readings for you that help you to orient to the course!
    • 23.9. Due to Aalto Covid-19 guidelines (updated 23.9. for period 2) this course will be organized 100% virtual.

    • Zoom link and information for all the sessions:

      • https://aalto.zoom.us/j/66257190874?pwd=b3hRUGdJZ2E3dG1tWEtIQTd4K250Zz09
      • Meeting ID: 662 5719 0874; Passcode: 059589

    • Forum icon
      Discussion forum
    • Forum icon
      Announcements Forum

    • Basic information

      • Business Model Design, 26E04350, AALTO BIZ (IDBM)
      • Teaching language: English
      • Credits: 5 ECTS
      • Teaching period II
      • Master's level course
      • It is recommended to take this course during the first year of IDBM studies
      • It is also recommended to take IDBM Challenge (JOIN-E7006) before this course
      • One should take this course before Industry project course (JOIN-E7005).
      • Minimum of 70% participation needed due to interactive tasks
      • You must attend the first session to ensure your place in the course


      Connection to IDBM programme

      Business Model Design connects design thinking further to business model context. The approach is both theoretical (mostly individual assignments) and practical (mostly in interactive tasks done in the workshops). The aim of all this is to form a holistic picture of business model design, especially from design management perspective.

      The course acknowledges that most of the students already know something about business development, and some students have a lot of business expertise. However, a common theoretical backbone is needed, as well as a common language (concept hierarchy), and a common set of tools.

      Teaching methods

      Teaching methods emphasize interactive and reflective techniques, as it is case in all IDBM courses.

      Each week is divided to keynote and discussion day (Tuesdays) and workshop and reflection days (Thursdays). Thursday workshops are divided to three groups to facilitate more efficient mentoring and more extensive discussions during workshops: students can select from three different workshop times (max 20 students per group).

      Evaluation and deliverables

      In evaluation, the teaching team focuses in the level of critical and reflective thinking and communication. Connecting theoretical knowledge and practical examples is a strong merit. Biggs model (1991) is used in assessment.

      Course deliverables include: 1) weekly journals (student can select from different journal styles - so this is a bit different than IDBM Challenge learning essay for example), 2) active participation and 3) take-home exam (large independent writing task).

      Course structure

      Course content is divided to modules: one week is one module, as follows:

      • MODULE 1: Detrivializing shared value
      • MODULE 2: What it takes to put value first
      • MODULE 3: Resilience and adaptability in business models
      • MODULE 4: Platform business models
      • MODULE 5: Sustainable business model innovation and course summary


      Course schedule

      26.10.-1.11. NO TEACHING!

      • Everyone needs a break after the hectic first period in our new virtual university. :)

      2.11.-8.11. Module 1

      • Tuesday 10-12. Thursday 9-11 or 12-14 or 15-17 (select the group in Oodi!)

      9.11.-15.11. Module 2

      • Tuesday 10-12. Thursday 9-11 or 12-14 or 15-17 (select the group in Oodi!)

      16.11.-22.11. Module 3

      • Tuesday 10-12. Thursday 9-11 or 12-14 or 15-17 (select the group in Oodi!)

      23.11.-29.11. Module 4

      • Tuesday 10-12. Thursday 9-11 or 12-14 or 15-17 (select the group in Oodi!)

      30.11.-6.12. Module 5

      • Tuesday 10-12. Thursday 12-14 or 14-16 or 16-18 (select the group in Oodi!). NOTE: DIFFERENT THURSDAY WORKSHOP TIME!


      Deliverable schedule

      • Individual journal deadline after each week, DL the monday after the module
      • Take-home exam: Questions published on Monday of the evaluation week; Deadline on Sunday of the evaluation week.


      Core content analysis


      Teaching team

      Dr. Ville Eloranta, Responsible teacher

      Apurva Ganoo, Course assistant


      Please send mail to ville.eloranta@aalto.fi if there are any questions! WELCOME TO THE COURSE! :-)