CM.J68 - Global Strategy and Technology* "CLOSED FOR FURTHER ENROLMENT"

Faculty
Nicolai Pogrebnyakov

Course Coordinator
Nicolai Pogrebnyakov

This course focuses on strategic issues firms face in the use of technology and development of technology innovations in global markets. It examines two levels: the business and the customer. The business part focuses on how technology can be used to add value to the business, assist in a globalized innovation process and tap into new and unconventional sources of creativity and expertise. The customer part examines strategy in technology products and services, with the focus on the global appeal of technology and business models in the development and post-launch phases of technology products and services.

The course is targeted at students whose future career may involve a general understanding of strategic technology issues. It would also be valuable for those with an interest or background in the technology industry who want to understand strategic challenges facing companies there. That said, no technology background is required. The course emphasizes business over technology-specific issues.

Teaching method

This course is taught in Harvard-style case method, which involves energetic class discussion and interaction. Case discussions are complemented by brief lectures that summarize and provide additional insights on the class topic. The bulk of student knowledge will develop through in-class case discussions. Thus preparation and class participation are essential if you want to do well in the course.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

Take-home case analysis. To achieve grade 12, students will demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the concepts and frameworks discussed in class, the ability to skillfully apply them to a case situation as well as the ability to formulate and persuasively discuss a position on the case situation.

Part I.The Business: Doing Business Globally with Technology

Week 1: Global technology strategy and governance

No case assignment.

Readings

McAfee, A. (2006). “Mastering the three worlds of information technology.” Harvard Business Review.

Nolan, R. and McFarlan, W. (2005). “Information technology and the board of directors.” Harvard Business Review.

Carr, N. (2003). “IT doesn’t matter.” Harvard Business Review.

Week 2: Cross-border innovation with technology

Case

IBM in the 21st Century: The Coming of the Globally Integrated Enterprise (HBS case 308-105

Readings

Santos, J., Doz, Y. and Williamson, P. (2004). “Is your innovation process global?” MIT Sloan Management Review.

Kao, J. (2009) “Tapping the world’s innovation hot spots.” Harvard Business Review

Week 3: Technology exchange with emerging markets

Case

SAP: Establishing a Research Center in China (University of Hong Kong case 817)

Reading

Zachary, G.P. (2008). “Inside Nairobi, the Next Palo Alto?” TheNew York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/business/worldbusiness/20ping.html

Week 4: Technology management in global value networks

Case

ECCO A/S - Global Value Chain Management (Ivey case 908M14)

Readings

Myers and Cheung (2008). “Sharing global supply chain knowledge.” MIT Sloan Management Review.

Part II.The Customer: Technology Products and Service

Week 5: Global appeal of technology and global technology product strategy

Case

Apple’s iPhone: Calling Europe or Europe Calling (IESE case IES192)

Readings

Eisenhardt, K. M. and Sull, D. N. (2001). “Strategy as simple rules.” Harvard Business Review.

Maidique, M. A. and Hayes, R. H. (1985). “The art of high-technology management.” McKinsey Quarterly

Week 6: E-business, e-commerce and online business models

Case

LinkedIn Corp., 2008 (HBS case 709-426)

Readings

Anderson, C. (2009). “The economics of giving it away.” Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335678420235003.html

Kaganer, E. (2009). “The freemium model.” http://isblog.iese.us/2009/09/a-few-thoughts-on-the-freemium-model.html

Week 7: Platforms, ecosystems and standards

Case

Microsoft Xbox: Changing the Game? (HBS case 707-501)

Week 8: Hot trends: Enterprise 2.0, cloud computing and the business value of social media

No case assignment.

Readings

The Economist (2010). “Yammering away at the office.” Special report on social networking, pp. 14—16.

Cosquer, F. J. N. and Ohayon-Dekel, A. (2009). “Mobility and Enterprise 2.0.” International Journal of Interdisciplinary Telecommunications and Networking, 1(4), 1—15.