SEMESTER: Spring 2018

COURSE NUMBER: EWMBA 290T.1

COURSE TITLE: Technology Innovation

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2 units

INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Isaacs

MEETING DAY/TIME: This course is designed to run in a condensed “block week” format over spring break, 3/26, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29. Classes will meet 7.5 hours on each day, between 8:30AM – 5PM.

Please note the unusual format of this course, which meets all day during Spring Break (4 days). You must attend ALL sessions in their entirety in order to earn a passing grade.

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CLASS FORMAT: The class is comprised of lectures and discussion.

REQUIRED READINGS: Case studies and a textbook

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Final grades will be based on class participation and case study & text assignments.

CAREER FIELD:The course will be beneficial for those interested in technology innovation, both at established companies and start-ups, in marketing, product management, product development and general management roles.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

Course Summary
This course examines innovation strategies applied to emerging technologies. We discuss successful and failed approaches for the commercialization of new technologies in both consumer and business settings using both contemporary and historical examples. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamental issues in commercialization of a broad range of technologies, including IT, energy, life sciences and consumer technology. The course is particularly suited for those who anticipate founding or leading a technology-based enterprise.

Primary Objectives
The primary objective of this course is to develop skills needed to compete in technology-oriented businesses. Upon completion of the course, the student should have developed the following skills: (a) the ability to assess and predict customer needs in markets that may not yet exist; (b) the ability to create and execute plans that necessarily integrate sophisticated technological development with rapidly evolving customer requirements; (c) the insights needed to create and grow a focused organization for the commercialization of new technology; (d) the tools to recognize potentially disruptive technology innovations and adapt the organization’s business plan to accommodate the new environment.