MNGT-E1005 - Strategy in Action, Lecture, 24.10.2023-30.11.2023

There are three group assignments related to different cases that reflect the course contents. The assignments are given separately in MyCourses. Assignments are submitted as Powerpoint slideshow files in MyCourses by the deadline. The slide deck includes 10-15 slides for each assignment. Submitted slides are not for presentation, except for the last (third) assignment pack. 

Name the document as follows: LastnameFirstname_group(number)_#2. Remember to add the names of the team members on the front page of the slide deck.

Group Assignment #2: Creativity and Strategy

Scoping the assignment

Your previous assignment addressed how to solve complex problems. In many ways, this second assignment builds on your previous work – by moving to explore the role of creativity in idea generation and strategic decision-making. Solving complex problems does require creativity. How can you break free from cognitive limitations, and identify and make use of new ideas and knowledge in a creative manner?

Assignment

Read Perry-Smith and Mannucci (2017), Martin (2007) and Poetz et al. (2014) to develop a presentation on how to foster creativity in a strategy process. You can also identify and use other models that inform how to enable and foster creativity in strategy-making, but this is not a must for a good grade. Apply 2-3 models in total to develop your approach.

Structure of the presentation (12-15 slides):

1.     Start by defining what you mean by creativity in a strategy process and why and how it is beneficial. (2-3 slides)

2.     Scope your approach to strategy for this assignment. What aspects of strategy work do you focus on in particular? For example: creation of novel strategies in established/new markets, creativity and participation in the strategy process, fostering creativity in top management teams, ensuring creativity in routine decision-making processes, creative use of strategic analysis tools, innovating new product or service categories, etc. (1-2 slides)

3.     Develop an approach to foster creativity in the aforementioned situation. Structure the presentation based on what suits your approach; You can for example develop a stepwise model (first, then, after; e.g. 7 steps model); identify different elements and their connections (X, Y and Z and how they connect and explain creativity); or use a different type of format. (8-11 slides)

4.     Discuss and reflect on the key learnings. (1-2 slides)