Syllabus for MQM-340
Seminar in Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
CLASS DAYS/TIMES/LOCATION:
Section 1: Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 AM through 9:15 AM
Location: 149
Section 2: Timings: Mondays and Wednesdays 12:35 PM through 1:50 PM
Location: 354
Instructor:
Dr. Avimanyu (Avi) Datta, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Illinois State University, College of Business
Department of Management and Quantative Methods
Email: adatta@ilstu.edu
Office Location: State Firm Hall of Business 240
Office Hours: Thursdays 1:00 PM through 5:00 PM
COURSE WEBSITE: http://mqm340.weebly.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course will provide an overview of the theoretical models and tools necessary for understanding and
analyzing innovation in business and ways in which the concomitant organizational change can be
managed. The course will help you identify the sources, types, and patterns of innovation (inventors,
basic/applied and product/process R&D, sources of research funding), innovations by users,
complements, technological spillovers, and more. We will also discuss innovations arising not only from
technological change but also from industries, markets, society, competitive change, and the interactions
among them.
The course will explain how firms learn and consequently adopt competencies, tactics, strategies,
organizational structures, and routines to exploit innovations. We will explore how firms choose from
among multiple innovations when resources are limited, along with other issues such as organization
learning, strategic flexibility, competition v. cooperation in innovation, and first v. second mover
advantages. We also will examine open-sourcing and open innovation, and explore what they entail for
traditional models of business that rely on property rights for the creation of economic rents.
Much like the industries we will study, this course is designed to be fast-paced and so it is important that
you come to class prepared and ready to discuss designated topics. Additionally, over the course of the
semester, you will work in groups to analyze an innovation-related problem. There will be several points
during the semester when you can receive assistance and ensure that you are making progress on this
major assignment.
The goals of the course are:
 To learn about the theories, models, and frameworks that constitute the body of knowledge on
innovation management, and why they are important.
 To learn how those theories, models, and frameworks are applied in practice.
 To synthesize the theories, models, frameworks, and tools of analysis within the context of a realworld innovation problem.
 To use all of the above toward communication and group work.
Avi Datta
Page 1 of 7
REQUIRED TEXT
Schilling, M.A. 2005. Strategic management of technological innovation. New York: McGraw Hill
Publishers.
ADDITIONAL READINGS
Additional readings (papers) mentioned in the schedule will be available on the class website.
(http://mqm340.weebly.com/lectures--presentations.html )
You can access the case studies in two ways:
1. U drive: U:\Department of Mgmt and Quant Methods\Datta-Avimanyu\MQM 340.14 Case
Studies
2. From LibraryWebsite
o HP, Compaq, and the computer industry in 2001 and beyond.
https://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ereserve2/fileview.php?filename=admqm_16271.pdf
o
Apple Computer, 2006.
https://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ereserve2/fileview.php?filename=admqm_16270.pdf
o
Intel corporation: 1968-2003.
https://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ereserve2/fileview.php?filename=admqm_16272.pdf
o
MySpace.
https://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ereserve2/fileview.php?filename=admqm_16273.pdf
o
SAP America.
https://www.mlb.ilstu.edu/ereserve2/fileview.php?filename=admqm_16274.pdf
GRADE COMPOSITION (Course Total 400 points)
Individual
Group
Total
Assignments
4 Exams @ 50 points each. The last exam is cumulative
Contribution/ Participation : 20 points
Gate 1: Company/product background & industry—20 points
Gate 2: Content analysis—20 points
Gate 3: Process analysis—20 points
Project Presentation: 60 points (Slide Deck: 30; Delivery 30)
Final Paper: 60 (Combine the three gates)
Points
Percentage
200
50%
20
5%
180
400
45%
100
GRADING POLICY
We are building a “world class” business school with high standards and expectations. As such, this
course will be rigorous and grading will be demanding. The table below shows how the percentage scores
on each assignment correspond to letter grades. There will typically be no “curving” of the grade
distribution.
Avi Datta
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Letter
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Point Score
≥ 90%
≥ 80%
≥70%
≥60%
< 60%
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS
EXAMS. There will be four closed-books, close-note exams (covering text, lectures, readings, and
cases) over the course of the semester to evaluate your understanding of the material and give you
feedback about where you may need to focus more attention. Exams will be a mixture of Multiple Choice
and Short answer type questions. Exam no. 4 will be cumulative. Each Exam will be 50 points worth.
Group project. Typical projects will focus on either a public company or a division/business-unit of a
public company, and a critical innovation issue that it is currently facing. You will identify and analyze a
topic of your choosing (though topics must be approved by me and will deal with innovation by a large
corporation and management of that process). You might not be able to gather enough information on
your company/division to analyze every aspect of innovation covered in our course, but you must be able
to conduct the analysis in terms of both the content and process of innovation. You also must provide
specific and well-reasoned recommendations that integrate well with your analysis. To ensure that you are
making good progress and to provide opportunities for feedback, there will be three “gates” that you must
meet throughout the semester. Each gate will require you to turn in a portion of your analysis for review.
Note: Peer evaluation is not a part of the grade, it is ingrained in the grade. I will create a document that
every individual is required to complete and submit to me, before the final paper and the final
presentation. The group members will have an opportunity to rate each member on their performance on
the Gates, the Final Paper and the Power-Point Presentation. For example if your average contribution for
Group 1 was 4/5 and the group gets 60 in the final paper your grade will be 48. My recommendation is to
give your 100% in your group paper, the gates and the powerpoints. In real workforce you will rarely
work in isolation. Working in groups is a necessary. Missing group projects, meetings, and showing lack
of respect will have its consequences. The evaluation document will be available in
http://mqm340.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/9/1/8491662/self_and_peer_evaluation.docx
Gate 1 requires your team to identify and agree upon a suitable project, and to provide a one-page writeup of the company selected, what the issue needs addressing, and a brief overview of the industry (size,
competitors, customers, suppliers, and problems). Gate 2 will be a write up of the first part of the
analysis, which will focus on innovation content—analysis of environment, firm strategy, market entry
decisions, cash-flow analysis, etc. Gate 3 will be a write up of the second part of the analysis and will
focus on innovation process—organization, collaboration, use of teams, deployment, etc. Each gate is
worth 20 points
The analysis should be double spaced, typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins
on all four sides. There are no formal requirements regarding the length of the analysis, but typical
analyses are about 5-10 pages (plus exhibits).
You will work in groups of 3 or 4. Points will generally be shared equally. However, I am open to discuss
problems about member(s) who is/are not performing.
Avi Datta
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Your team will give a PowerPoint presentation of your analysis (providing enough detail about your
case to make it coherent) in class. You will have a minimum of 30 minutes to present, plus 20 minutes for
questions. Please bring a copy of the slides for me (4 per page is fine); handouts for the rest of the class
are appreciated but not required. The PowerPoint is worth 60 points (Slide Deck: 30; Delivery 30).
Final Paper: You will combine the contents of Gate 1, 2 and 3 with a table of Contents to create a final
paper. Due on December 14, 2011 by 5:00 PM. Hard copy is not required an email with an attachment to
adatta@ilstu.edu. This is worth 60 points.
Note: Peer evaluation is not a part of the grade, it is ingrained in the grade. I will create a document that
every individual is required to complete and submit to me, before the final paper and the final
presentation. The group members will have an opportunity to rate each member on their performance on
the Gates, the Final Paper and the Power-Point Presentation. For example if your average contribution for
Group 1 was 4/5 and the group gets 60 in the final paper your grade will be 48. My recommendation is to
give your 100% in your group paper, the gates and the powerpoints. In real workforce you will rarely
work in isolation. Working in groups is a necessary. Missing group projects, meetings, and showing lack
of respect will have its consequences. The evaluation document will be available in
http://mqm340.weebly.com/uploads/8/4/9/1/8491662/self_and_peer_evaluation.docx
Contribution. We will use a variety of in-class readings and case studies to give you opportunities to
deepen your knowledge of the course content. Questions on concepts and theories, as well as questions
and comments during lectures, constitute discussion. During the first few days of class, please introduce
yourself before you ask a question.
CLASS POLICIES
Disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to take part in this class and should contact the
instructor to make arrangements for any needed accommodations. Please notify the professor during the
first week of class of any accommodations needed for the class. All accommodations must be approved
through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) , who can be contacted at 309-438-5853. The student
must complete an accommodation form with the DRC staff with enough lead time for the
accommodations to be made.
Grade Appeals. Appeals on test questions only will be considered within one week of when the answers
are posted on the web. Appeals should be made in writing (e-mail will suffice) explaining the rationale for
the incorrect grade.
Wrong Answers. You can recapture up to half of the points lost on exams by providing a written
statement explaining why your answer to a question is wrong and why the correct answer is right. The
written statements are due in class the week after the exam was administered. This applies only for short
and long answers not multiple choice answers. This also applies only for EXAMS 1, 2, and 3. This is
precluded in Exam 4.
E-mail. Provide your full name and ID number. Anonymous e-mails will not be answered.
Late For or Absent From Lectures. It is your responsibility to get the notes and to check the class web
site for announcements in case you miss a class
Class Attendance and Participation: While your presence during the lectures is not sufficient for
satisfactory performance, regular attendance is essential for your success. Though I will not literally take
a “roll” each day, I will generally monitor attendance and timeliness for class and this will be factored
into the participation score. I would highly appreciate if you could use a “Folded Name Tag” in front of
your desk so that I can remember your names.
Avi Datta
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Each student is expected to attend and contribute to each and every class session in civil, constructive,
value-adding ways. Be prepared for each session by reading the assigned chapters or cases, offering your
answers when called on in class, and at appropriate times raising your hand and offering keen insights,
probing questions, useful summaries, and so on. Students will also be evaluated based on their level of
professionalism in class and in class-related activities outside of class.
Note: It is your responsibility to get the notes and to check the class web site for announcements in
case you miss a class.
Make-Ups: Only legitimate, instructor-approved absences will be accepted for make-up exams.
Absolutely no late work is acceptable, unless an extreme emergency occurs, and I have approved an
extension. Failure to complete all parts of the course by the assigned dates will result in zero points for
the assignment.
Cheating and plagiarism. Anyone who cheats (e.g., using unfair means during tests) will receive an F in
the class and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Plagiarism is using other people’s work
and/or ideas without giving them credit for it. Cheating or plagiarism of any kind is not acceptable. This
applies to work on all class assignments. The purpose of the course is for you to learn, and you do not
learn by copying someone else’s work.
Other Policies: You are responsible for all information presented in the class, for all interpretation
requirements of applications for all handouts distributed (in class or course web site), practice as many
exercises as is necessary to learn the material. During lectures, and Exams there should not be any
disturbances from cellular phone or any other devices.
Incomplete Grade: A request for a grade of "I" (incomplete) will be granted only if unavoidable
circumstances beyond the student's control prevent him/her from completing the course on schedule and
the student has achieved an average grade of "C" or better on all examinations scheduled prior to the time
(which should be immediately before the final exam) of the request. The student should see the ISU
catalog for other conditions pertaining to grade "I".
Professionalism. Inappropriate behavior, such as rudeness, verbal or written malicious and defamatory
comments, cursing, yelling, or other threatening and/or intimidating behavior, either during lectures or
outside of lectures, to either the Professor or office personnel, will result in an F in the class and
additional academic, administrative, or legal penalties as permitted under University policies and
procedures and Illinois State law.
Withdrawal Policy: Each student is expected to know the University Withdrawal policy, see Academic
Policies and Practices at http://www.arr.ilstu.edu/registrar/common/selectedpolicies8.stml
Professional Standards: All students in this course are expected to be familiar with the "College of
Business Standards of Professional Behavior and Ethical Conduct."
(http://www.cob.ilstu.edu/professionalstandards). Please note that only bottled water may be
consumed in the classroom wing of the College of Business Building and that all cell phones and other
electronic devices should be turned off and stored away during classes, unless permission is otherwise
granted by the instructor.
Campus Safety: At Illinois State University, we are firmly committed to campus safety for everyone here
at the university. In order to be prepared in case of an emergency, please visit this link on campus safety:
http://admissions.illinoisstate.edu/community/safety.shtml
Avi Datta
Page 5 of 7
COURSE CALENDAR*
(We will follow this schedule as far as possible, but changes may be made as and when needed)
Date
Topic
Subtopic
22-Aug-11
Introduction
Introduction, Syllabus,
Extensions
24-Aug-11
Introduction
29-Aug-11
Importance of Technological
Innovation
Sources of Innovation
31-Aug-11
radical Innovations
5-Sep-11
7-Sep-11
Industry Dynamics of
Technological Innovations
12-Sep-11
LABOR DAY NO CLASS
Types and Patterns of
Innovations
Standards Battles and Design
Dominance
Timing of Entry
14-Sep-11
19-Sep-11
CASE STUDY
Intel Corporation
21-Sep-11
EXAM
Exam 1
26-Sep-11
28-Sep-11
3-Oct-11
5-Oct-11
Formulating Technological
Innovations Strategy
10-Oct-11
31-Oct-11
Exam 1
Schilling Chapter 8
Protecting Innovation
Schilling Chapter 9
Patenting: Staying Ahead of the
curve
Paper to be
Distributed online
Exam 2
26-Oct-11
Schilling: Chapter 5
Schilling Chapter 7
EXAM
Exam 2
Organizing for Innovation
Schilling Chapter 10
Managing New Product
Development
Schilling Chapter 11
Managing New Product
Development Teams
Schilling 12
Creating a deployment Strategy
Schilling Chapter 13
2-Nov-11
CASE STUDY
HP-Compaq
7-Nov-11
AVI's Conference
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
9-Nov-11
Apple Computers
CASE STUDY
Apple Computers
14-Nov-11
EXAM
Exam 3
16-Nov-11
CASE STUDY
LABOR DAY NO
CLASS
Gate 1 due
Schilling: Chapter 3
Schilling Chapter 4
Collaboration Strategies
17-Oct-11
Implementing technology
Innovation Strategy
LABOR DAY NO
CLASS
Choosing Innovation Projects
SAP-America
24-Oct-11
Schilling: Chapters 2
Paper to be
Distributed online
Schilling Chapter 6
CASE STUDY
Assignmets Due
Schilling: Chapter 1
Defining organization's
Strategic Direction
12-Oct-11
19-Oct-11
Readings
gate 2 due
NO CLASS
Exam 3
My Space
My Space
gate 3 Due
21-Nov-11
ThanksGiving NO CLASS
ThanksGiving NO
CLASS
ThanksGiving NO
CLASS
23-Nov-11
ThanksGiving NO CLASS
ThanksGiving NO
CLASS
ThanksGiving NO
CLASS
28-Nov-11
group Presentations
30-Nov-11
group Presentations
5-Dec-11
group Presentations
7-Dec-11
group Presentations
Avi Datta
Last Day to Submit your
Answers to get back half of your
points for Exam 1, 2 and 3
Page 6 of 7
12-Dec-11
No Class
No Class
Submit peer evaluation Document via
email.
13-Dec-11
EXAM 4 (1:00 PM- 3:00
PM)
EXAM 4 (1:00 PM- 3:00 PM)
EXAM 4 (1:00 PM3:00 PM)
14-Dec-11
FINAL PAPER
Avi Datta
EXAM 4 (1:00 PM3:00 PM)
Due by 5:00 PM.
One document/
group. Email me
at
adatta@ilstu.edu
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