| LEC # | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and Overview |
| 2-3 | Origin of the Process This week we will examine innovation from a historical perspective, with particular focus on the hard disk drive industry. |
| 4-5 | Individual Contributions This week we will look at the role of individuals in the innovation process, with an emphasis on factors that stimulate innovators within organizations such as Procter & Gamble. |
| 6-7 | Technical Communication This week we will consider the importance of technical communication for innovation, including the consequences of insufficient communication in a medical instrument corporation. |
| 8-9 | Cross-Functionality This week we will explore the integration of different departments (e.g., engineering, marketing, manufacturing) to enhance innovation within organizations such as Rubbermaid. |
| 10-11 | Geographic Dispersion This week we will expose innovation barriers for organizations separated by space and time, including cultural challenges faced by companies like Unilever. |
| 12-13 | Intra-Organizational Networks This week we will investigate how social networks among individuals within organizations, for example high-tech firms, can positively impact information transfer and innovation. |
| 14-15 | Inter-Organizational Networks This week we will analyze how alliances, partnerships, and coalitions between organizations, such as NYPRO and Vistakon, can impact the innovation process. |
| 16-17 | Organizational Features This week we will examine how traditionally innovative organizations, such as Sun Microsystems, effectively manage the innovation process. |
| 18-19 | Organizational Learning This week we will explore how firms can learn to innovate by implementing effective management strategies, including ones used by 3M Corporation. |
| 20-21 | Market Changes This week we will look at how firms respond to major innovations in their industry, such as those experienced in biotechnology. |
| 22 | Industry Variability Speaker - Michael Meyer, Product Strategy Practice Leader, IDEO Boston |
| 23-24 | Standards, Patents, & Open Source This week we will consider how standards, patents, and the open source movement affect innovation for companies like CompuServe. |
| 25 | Course Wrap-up Final paper due |