For today’s managers – and especially those in leading positions – networking via formal as well as informal ties is of crucial relevance for a company’s innovation performance. The informal ties are hereby of special importance to deliver new, non-redundant information, which can be used for the innovation processes of the organization. The course will put a special focus on the relation between individual top managerial characteristics along with the top managers’ innovation-related tasks and the ties' network embeddedness. This relation is important in order to understand how networks can be set up to increase the chances for innovation outcome. This knowledge is of special importance for all (future) managers in their innovation-leading and innovation-fostering role.

In this course, students will learn about the following topics:

• Students will learn the fundaments of the social network theory and will learn to work with tool of the Social Network Analysis (SNA).
• Further, they will develop an understanding of the knowledge transfer within networks and which role the social capital of each network member plays hereby.
• From a managerial perspective, students will develop an understanding of how networks can foster - or hinder - innovation.

The course combines various learning methods to deliver the different topics to the students. The sessions will include theory input, open class discussions, individual as well as group work and students' presentations and assignments.

30% Group presentation (group assessment)

50% Reflection paper (individual assessment)

20% In-class exercise (group assessment)

In case of any administrative questions please contact isabella.weber@wu.ac.at