In times of fierce global competition, rapidtechnological progress, multiple disruptions (e.g. climate, poverty, migration,demographic developments, digitalization), exponentially growing knowledge, andincreasingly demanding customers, innovation has become an imperative for mostfirms. Innovation addresses ill-defined problems and induces situations of highuncertainty and risks. It therefore requires fundamentally different processesand methods compared to routine tasks. How can innovation be managed and howcan a firm routinize the non-routine? These are central questions that thisprogram will tackle. Latest trends in innovation management such as openinnovation, user innovation, and business ecosystems will be covered. At thesame time we will look deeply into two big companies and apply problem-based learningby engaging into a real-life innovation initiative within these partner firms.

The aim of this program is to provide students with aninsight of the mostrelevant topics when trying to manage innovation both inside the boundary of afirm as well as across firm boundaries.

Throughparticipating in the course the students will:

• learn to understand the basic approaches in innovation management
• learn about latest trends in the field of managing innovation
• apply, validate, and enrich the knowledge gained in a real-life group project

Moreover, after completing the course, students will know how to:

• break down complex tasks into manageable modules
• deal with several stakeholders at once
• manage different ways to target & to arrive at a decision
• nail down the relevant project outcomes in a business proposal
• engage in vivid discussions & interactive group sessions
• learn how to effectively handle cross-cultural team settings
  
• present project outcomes in different environments & for different target groups (e.g. expert jury, team members, etc.)

Sessions are taughtusing a combination of lecture elements, case analyses, class discussion,exercises, and group work. The readings will give an understanding of the mainissues concerning the management of innovation. The course contains one Kick-Off Session and severalWorkshop Sessions.

The final grade of the course will depend on:

•    15% in-class contribution and presentations (active listening and discussion in class, pitch presentations, implementing feedback)

•    30% assignments (individual reports, team reports, comfort challenges)

•    25% final report

•    30% final presentation

christian.garaus@wu.ac.at

nadine.moser@wu.ac.at