B7075 - Industry Dynamics and Policy/Strategy and Management of Innovation

Learning outcomes

In this first module introductory concepts will be discussed: the meaning of the economic perspective, the role of industry in growth and development processes. Then global industrial scenario and dynamics will be analysed: main actors, principal trends and on-going dynamics. A special focus will be addressed to current structural change processes and future developments in world’s industry strategies. The course will then focus on the industrial policy debate, referring to the main on-going challenges as sustainability, innovation, liberalization and competition vs protectionism and economic nationalisms, local and regional development vs international equilibria and dynamics. The goal of this second module is to provide students with basic concepts on firm’s strategy and a broader perspective on technology innovation management. The aim is to improve students’ skills in understanding and managing innovation issues, with a focus on the motorvehicle industry and firms. The goal of the third module is to apply the concepts explored in the second module. Topics include, but are not limited to: • case discussions of technological innovations in the motorvehicle industry, • introduction and adoption of technological innovations by major players of the sector; • stat-ups and academic spin-offs to foster innovation in the motorvehicle industry; • the role of Living Lab in experimenting technological innovation in the automotive field.

Course contents

Module 1: Industry Dynamics and Policy

In this first module introductory concepts will be discussed: the meaning of the economic perspective, the role of industry in growth and development processes. Then global industrial scenario and dynamics will be analysed: main actors, principal trends and on-going dynamics. A special focus will be addressed to current structural change processes and future developments in world’s industry strategies. The course will then focus on the industrial policy debate, referring to the main on-going challenges as sustainability, innovation, liberalization and competition vs protectionism and economic nationalisms, local and regional development vs international equilibria and dynamics.

This module is structured into three main content blocks:

· Introduction to the economic perspectives;

· Industry dynamics analysis;

· Industrial Policy.

References:

For Attending students: Di Tommaso M.R., Rubini L., Barbieri E., Pollio C., Industry Organization and Industrial Policy. Production and Innovation, Development and the Public Interest. Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024, pp. 630.

 

Module 2: Business Management and Strategy

The goal of this second module is to provide students with basic concepts on firm’s strategy and a broader perspective on technology innovation management. The aim is to improve students’ skills in understanding and managing innovation issues, with a focus on the motorvehicle industry and firms.

This module is structured into three main content blocks:

· Technological innovation and Strategy: An introduction

· Innovation management: selected topics (sources of innovation; type and patterns of innovation; timing of entry; value appropriation in technology investments; innovation strategies; patenting; open innovation; demand and technology acceptance)

· Managing technology shifts (ACES) in motorvehicle industry

References:

Schilling M.E., Strategic Management of Technological Innovation, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2017

Additional references and other resources will be suggested by the professor at the beginning or during the course.

 

Module 3: Laboratory

The goal of the Laboratory is to apply the concepts explored in the modules.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1

- Di Tommaso M.R., Rubini L., Barbieri E., Pollio C., Industry Organization and Industrial Policy. Production and Innovation, Development and the Public Interest. Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024, pp. 630. The book is available at this link: https://www.mulino.it/isbn/9788815388384

Module 2
- Schilling M.E., Strategic Management of Technological Innovation, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2017.

For both modules additional references and other resources may be suggested by the teachers at the beginning or during the course.

Teaching methods

The course will be taught in English.

For “attending students”: blended teaching involving frontal lectures, presentation and discussion in classroom by the students of selected case studies or papers, and participation in classroom discussions.

For “not-attending students”: individual study of the books (see below “Assessment methods for not-attending students”).

Students are required within one week from the beginning of the course to decide whether to be “attending students” or not.

Assessment methods

i) Assessment for “attending students”:

Written exam (multiple choice questions) based on the topics covered during the classes for Module I and Module II (70% of the final mark) and a group presentation for the Laboratory (30% of the final mark). To get prepared for the written exam, students are required to study the course slides and the textobooks provided by the lecturers. Active participation in discussion and classwork will be positively evaluated.

Further detailed information will be provided to the classroom by the lecturers at the beginning and during the course.

 

ii) Assessment for “not-attending students”:

Not-attending students will take a written exam (multiple choice questions and open questions) at the end of the course accounting for the 100% of the mark. This exam is based on the study of the following materials:

• Di Tommaso M.R., Rubini L., Barbieri E., Pollio C., Industry Organization and Industrial Policy. Production and Innovation, Development and the Public Interest. Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024, pp. 630. All chapters have to be studied.

• Schilling M.E., Strategic Management of Technological Innovation, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2017. Chapters to be studied: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9.

Teaching tools

Frontal teaching delivered with the support of PPT presentations and papers, readings and further material provided by the lecturers. Active participation in discussion and classwork is required.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Rodolfo Di Tommaso

See the website of Elena Prodi

See the website of Giulia Tagliazucchi

See the website of Gianluca Marchi