MSB108 Innovation Management and The Corporate Startup

Contents and structure

The course consists of two major but interrelated parts.

1. One part focuses on innovation in established firms and will introduce students to different models and concepts to innovation management, innovation strategies, innovation processes and characteristics of innovative organizations. The course introduces students to practical innovation contexts both in the private and public sectors. It provides them with the necessary knowledge, skills, methods, and tools to actively participate and contribute to an organization's innovation processes.
2. The other part of the course introduces students to corporate startup thinking and new business development processes. Key topics will be the development and analysis of innovative business ideas, business models/-plans and strategies. The aim is to provide the students with an understanding of the challenges involved in commercialising new products or service ideas.

Intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial competence encompasses analyzing and evaluating if a new idea is a "good" idea, and if customers will buy it. The course also focuses on trade-offs between and phases of "exploration and exploitation", how to overcome difficulties entering markets, achieving profitability, and managing risks involved by appropriate countermeasures.

The students work in small groups writing an assignment, an Innovation Thesis, based on real cases/challenges in existing organizations, private businesses, or the public sector. Through analyzing real-life challenges, the learning process focuses both a practical and a theoretical approach.

The course will prepare and encourage students to become more innovative in future work and/or as an intrapreneur/entrepreneur.

Learning Outcome

Through analyzing and reflecting on innovation/commercialization challenges in existing organizations, both private and public sector. Students will be able to apply and discuss the relevance of theoretical models and approaches when trying to commercialize innovative ideas or new business ventures.

Students will acquire knowledge and skills to analyze how Corporate Innovation can benefit from a "Lean Startup" approach and co-create value for sustainable innovation.

Knowledge-based learning outcomes

• Students will have acquired knowledge of innovation management theories and strategies for innovation in existing organizations.
• Students will have acquired knowledge of the main content in different kinds of business models. 
• Students will acquire knowledge of how to create-test-learn-scale-grow business ideas from exploration vs exploitation phases to innovation ecosystems.
• Students will be able to distinguish different kinds of collaborations between established organizations and startups. 
• Students will acquire knowledge of sustainability as the new paradigm for innovation and competitive advantage.

Skill-based learning outcomes

• Students will have acquired the ability to assess innovation and relevant strategies and methods for successful innovation in existing organizations.
• Students will have acquired the ability to apply a business model canvas for continues improving and renewing business models. 
• Students will have acquired skills in applying tools and worksheets to analysis and evaluate improvements in different innovation portfolios. 
• Students will get team-based experiences when being members of project groups.

General competences 

• Evaluate the importance of the startup way in assessing the need for, sources of and enablers for sustainable innovation.
• Evaluate new business ideas and understand how existing organizations can improve innovations through collaboration and co-creation with startups. 

Entry requirements

Admission requirements for the master programme MSB.

Teaching methods

After an introductory presentation given by teachers and guest-lecturers, students continuously write on their group-based Innovation Thesis. Teachers and fellow students give oral and/or written feedback on drafts and parts of written hand-ins throughout the course. Other teaching and learning methods may include videos, cases and open discussions.

Compulsory learning activities

A written assignment.

Assessment

Written semester paper (70%) + an adjusting individual written report (30%).

Time and place announced in Canvas.

The grading scale is A-F, where F is fail.

Course reductions

• MOØ234 - Innovasjonsleiing i etablerte bedrifter - Reduction: 10 studypoints