Aim
The overall aim of the course is for students to acquire a basic understanding of how firms in a variety of high and medium-technology sectors develop and implement strategies in the context of global competition. General objectives are for students to grasp why profiting from R&D and knowledge assets has become a central theme in strategic thinking. More specific objectives are for students to become familiar with several strategic mechanisms and processes in high and medium tech sectors, including vertical disintegration (outsourcing and networking), the appropriation and use of knowledge (intellectual property regims, innovation systems, etc.). Practical objectives are for students to use basic concepts to discuss strategic options in emerging technologies and to apply the main lessons of the course in problem-oriented empirical research.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• why innovation has become a central element of strategic management

• how in-house capabilities and competences can be built

• how an organisation can exploit its Research and Development and other knowledge resources

• of the various roles that different organisations and institutions have in technological change

• of the role that vertical integration plays for innovation-based competitiveness

• how firms can succesfully exploit its knowledge for innovation

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to apply basic concepts discussed in the course to discuss strategic management decisions in high-tech firms

• be able to summarize the course's main topics and demonstrate in group-based presentations how knowledge acquired in the course can be used in problem-based real-world questions

Contents
The course provides a basic understanding of how different technological strategies are formed in global competition. It will concentrate primarily on outlining the changing patterns of international trade and investment, the integration of business networks at regional and global levels, and how they are changing in response to ongoing processes of globalization.

The course is problem solving oriented and draws on a combination of real-world decision making exercises and state-of-the-art literature.

It is expected that students actively participate in the exercises (i.e. to be well-prepared for case discussions and project presentations) in order to practise the application of theoretical insights.

Literature
Articles; information will be provided through CIRCLE.

Code: 0109. Name: Home Examination.
Higher education credits: 4,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: To receive pass the student has to receive 50 %.

Code: 0209. Name: Group Exercises.
Higher education credits: 2,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: To pass the group exercise the student should recive 50 %.

Code: 0309. Name: Discussion and Participation.
Higher education credits: 0,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: The students are expected to take an active role in class and participate in discussions.