Stefano Brusoni: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name Prof. Dr. Stefano Brusoni
FieldManagement of Technology and Innovation
Address
Professur Technol.&Innovationsmgmt
ETH Zürich, WEV J 413
Weinbergstr. 56/58
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 04 52
E-mailsbrusoni@ethz.ch
DepartmentManagement, Technology, and Economics
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
351-0778-00LDiscovering Management
Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01.
3 credits3GB. Clarysse, S. Brusoni, S. Feuerriegel, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, T. Netland, G. von Krogh
AbstractDiscovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. The module provides an overview of the principles of management, teaches knowledge about management that is highly complementary to the students' technical knowledge, and provides a basis for advancing the knowledge of the various subjects offered at D-MTEC.
ObjectiveDiscovering Management combines in an innovate format a set of theory lectures and a series of case studies. The learning model for Discovering Management involves 'learning by doing'. The objective is to introduce the students to the relevant topics of the management literature and give them a good introduction in entrepreneurship topics too. The course is a series of lectures on the topics of strategy, innovation, leadership, productions and operations management and corporate social responsibility. While the different theory lectures provide the theoretical and conceptual foundations, the experiential learning outcomes result from the case studies.
ContentDiscovering Management aims to broaden the students' understanding of the principles of business management, emphasizing the interdependence of various topics in the development and management of a firm. The lectures introduce students not only to topics relevant for managing large corporations, but also touch upon the different aspects of starting up your own venture. The lectures will be presented by the respective area specialists at D-MTEC.
The course broadens the view and understanding of technology by linking it with its commercial applications and with society. The lectures are designed to introduce students to topics related to strategy, corporate innovation, leadership, value chain analysis, corporate social responsibility, and information management. Practical examples from case studies will stimulate the students to critically assess these issues.
Prerequisites / NoticeDiscovering Management is designed to suit the needs and expectations of Bachelor students at all levels as well as Master and PhD students not belonging to D-MTEC. By providing an overview of Business Management, this course is an ideal enrichment of the standard curriculum at ETH Zurich.
No prior knowledge of business or economics is required to successfully complete this course.
363-0341-00LIntroduction to Management Information 3 credits2GZ. Zagorac-Uremovic, S. Brusoni, J. O'Neil
AbstractThis course is an introduction to the critical management skills involved in planning, organizing, leading and controlling an organization.
ObjectiveBy the end of this course, students will understand management as a set of skills, processes, tools and methods that enable organizations to achieve their goals and to coordinate routine operations in order to meet evolving customers’ and societal needs. The students will achieve these goals by being able to:
- Analyze organizations as open systems, and describe their critical elements,
- Apply conceptual tools and methods that help to analyze or approach the critical elements,
- Compare different notions of organizational performance, and explain why they matter,
- Discuss the relationships that connect the critical elements of an organization on the basis of real cases,
- Explain how change, internally or externally initiated, impact such relationships
ContentThis course is an introduction to critical management skills involved in planning, organizing, leading and controlling an organization. This course follows a 'systemic' view of organizations and adopts the congruence model as a framework to analyze the critical, interconnected elements of organizations: Input (i.e., from external environment), strategy, people, work, formal and informal structure of the organization, and its outputs. In this course we will introduce these critical elements and learn how managers can analyze and approach these elements by means of different conceptual tools and methods in order to achieve performance. We will furthermore discuss the relationships that connect the critical elements together by means of real-life cases, whereby the focus will be on the critical reflection of particular cases of fits and misfits between those elements and on the application of a selection of tools and methods.
Lecture notesThe content of the course will rely on different readings, cases and selected chapters of following book:
Dess, G., McNamara, G., Eisner, A., & Lee, SH. 2018. Strategic Management: Text and Cases. McGraw Hill.

Selected readings from the book and additional learning materials will be available on the course Moodle:
https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=12712

Zoom will be the online platform of this course, and the login information for all subscribed students will be published on Moodle one week before the course starts.
LiteratureThe content of the course will rely on different readings and on selected chapters of following book:
Dess, G., McNamara, G., Eisner, A., & Lee, SH. 2018. Strategic Management: Text and Cases. McGraw Hill.

Selected readings from the book and additional learning materials will be available on the course Moodle:
https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=12712
Prerequisites / NoticeThroughout the course different session preparation assignments, like book chapters or case studies will be handed out to the students on moodle. This preparation is required to participate in the lectures.
The final exam of the present course is online exam.
The final exam is requested for all types of students (BSc, MSc, MAs, PhD, and Exchange students).
It is not possible to retake the exam within the same term or academic year.
We strongly recommend Exchange students to take it into consideration when selecting the courses to attend.
363-0389-00LTechnology and Innovation Management Information 3 credits2GS. Brusoni, A. Zeijen
AbstractThis course focuses on the analysis of innovation as a pervasive process that cut across organizational and functional boundaries. It looks at the sources of innovation, at the tools and techniques that organizations deploy to routinely innovate, and the strategic implications of technical change.
ObjectiveThis course intends to enable all students to:

- understand the core concepts necessary to analyze how innovation happens

- master the most common methods and tools organizations deploy to innovate

- develop the ability to critically evaluate the innovation process, and act upon the main obstacles to innovation
ContentThis course looks at technology and innovation management as a process. Continuously, organizations are faced with a fundamental decision: they have to allocate resources between well-known tasks that reliably generate positive results; or explore new ways of doing things, new technologies, products and services. The latter is a high risk choice. Its rewards can be high, but the chances of success are small.
How do firms organize to take these decisions? What kind of management skills are necessary to take them? What kind of tools and methods are deployed to sustain managerial decision-making in highly volatile environments? These are the central questions on which this course focuses, relying on a combination of lectures, case-based discussion, guest speakers, simulations and group work.
Lecture notesSlides will be available on the Moodle page
LiteratureReadings will be available on the Moodle page
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course content and methods are designed for students with some background in management and/or economics
363-0389-02LTechnology and Innovation Management (Additional Cases) Information Restricted registration - show details
Only for Mechanical Engineering BSc.
1 credit1US. Brusoni
AbstractThis module focuses on the topics that lie at the intersection between management and engineering.
ObjectiveThrough a project, the students will focus on discussing the business implications of a technology using the tools and theories used in the TIM lecture. This would enable the students to deepen their understanding of managerial issues while focusing on a specific technology. Topics for project work will be proposed in the beginning of the semester
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture 363-0389-00L Technology and Innovation Management needs to be taken in order to participate in this module
363-1028-00LEntrepreneurial Leadership Restricted registration - show details
Limited number of participants.

Students apply for this course via the official website no later than August 23 (Link).
Once your application is confirmed, registration in myStudies is possible.
4 credits3SZ. Erden Özkol, P. Baschera, S. Brusoni, T. Netland, G. von Krogh
AbstractThis seminar provides master and PhD students at MTEC with the challenging opportunity of a real case on strategy, innovation and leadership in close collaboration with the top management of a leading Swiss technology company.
ObjectiveThe general objective of the course is to enable MTEC students to develop leadership skills by dealing with real-world business problems, thinking critically about the concepts discussed in their study programs and learning how to apply these concepts to provide practical implications. It provides students with coaching and mentoring from senior leaders in the company and professors from D-MTEC to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
ContentThis seminar provides ambitious ETH students and doctoral candidates with a rewarding learning opportunity: a real case study of strategy and innovation in close collaboration with the top management of an outstanding company (TBA).

What you can expect:

You will work in teams on specific high priority assignments that flow from the company. Delving into the assignments you will both contribute to solving strategic issues and have an impact on their implementation at the company. In the different team assignments not only technical and innovative aspects but also social, ethical, HR and marketing-​relevant aspects play an important role and must be taken into account.

To gain insight into the company and its culture you will receive briefings from senior management, conduct interviews with experts and run workshops with your case managers. In the final presentations you will pitch your findings to key stakeholders and top management representatives and receive valuable feedback.

Furthermore you will be coached and supported by MTEC professors on the topics of investigation, innovation, strategy and board presentation.

The course is directed and organised by PD Dr. Zeynep Erden and Dr. Isabel Spicker as part of the MTEC Leadership Development Programme.

What we expect from you:

You are an ambitious ETH student or doctoral candidate who is looking for a rewarding learning opportunity and is eager to go the extra mile. You will work on a real case study of strategy, technology and innovation in close collaboration with the senior management of an outstanding Swiss company. The recommendations that you formulate in collaboration with members of your team as well as with internal and external experts will be discussed at the Partner and Director levels. This demands a deep understanding of the company's leadership culture.

In this endeavour you are coached and supported by

- Pius Baschera, former Chair of Entrepreneurship
- Stefano Brusoni, Chair of Technology and Innovation Management
- Georg von Krogh, Chair of Strategic Management and Innovation
- Torbjörn Netland, Chair of Production and Operations Management
- Zeynep Erden, Vlerick Business School/ D-MTEC
LiteratureLiterature and readings will be announced in the coaching sessions.
Prerequisites / NoticePlease apply for this course via the official website (www.mtec.ethz.ch). Apply no later than August 23.
The number of participants is limited to 15.
ECTS: 4
Participants receive a certificate
363-1065-00LDesign Thinking: Human-Centred Solutions to Real World Challenges Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
5 credits5GS. Brusoni
AbstractThe goal of this course is to engage students in a multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle real world problems. Following a design thinking approach, students will work in teams to solve a set of design challenges that are organized as a one-week, a three-week, and a final six-week project in collaboration with an external project partner.

Information and application: http://sparklabs.ch/
ObjectiveDuring the course, students will learn about different design thinking methods and tools. This will enable them to:
- Generate deep insights through the systematic observation and interaction of key stakeholders (empathy).
- Engage in collaborative ideation with a multidisciplinary team.
- Rapidly prototype and iteratively test ideas and concepts by using various materials and techniques.
ContentThe purpose of this course is to equip the students with methods and tools to tackle a broad range of problems. Following a Design Thinking approach, the students will learn how to observe and interact with key stakeholders in order to develop an in-depth understanding of what is truly important and emotionally meaningful to the people at the center of a problem. Based on these insights, the students ideate on possible solutions and immediately validated them through quick iterations of prototyping and testing using different tools and materials. The students will work in multidisciplinary teams on a set of challenges that are organized as a one-week, a three-week, and a final six-week project with an external project partner. In this course, the students will learn about the different Design Thinking methods and tools that are needed to generate deep insights, to engage in collaborative ideation, rapid prototyping and iterative testing.

Design Thinking is a deeply human process that taps into the creative abilities we all have, but that get often overlooked by more conventional problem solving practices. It relies on our ability to be intuitive, to recognize patterns, to construct ideas that are emotionally meaningful as well as functional, and to express ourselves through means beyond words or symbols. Design Thinking provides an integrated way by incorporating tools, processes and techniques from design, engineering, the humanities and social sciences to identify, define and address diverse challenges. This integration leads to a highly productive collaboration between different disciplines.

For more information and the application visit: http://sparklabs.ch/
Prerequisites / NoticeOpen mind, ability to manage uncertainty and to work with students from various background. Class attendance and active participation is crucial as much of the learning occurs through the work in teams during class. Therefore, attendance is obligatory for every session. Please also note that the group work outside class is an essential element of this course, so that students must expect an above-average workload.

Please note that the class is designed for full-time MSc students. Interested MAS students need to send an email to Linda Armbruster to learn about the requirements of the class.
364-1064-00LInaugural Seminar - Doctoral Retreat Information Restricted registration - show details
Pre-registration upon invitation required.
Once your pre-registration has been confirmed, a registration in myStudies is possible.
1 credit1SS. Feuerriegel, S. Brusoni, R. Finger, T. Netland, F. von Wangenheim
AbstractThis course is geared towards first and second-year doctoral candidates of MTEC. It is held as in a workshop style. Students attending this seminar will benefit from interdisciplinary discussions and insights into current and future work in business and economics research.
ObjectiveThe purpose of this course is to
- introduce doctoral candidates to the world of economics, management and systems research at MTEC
- make doctoral candidates aware of silo-thinking in the specific sub-disciplines and encourage them to go beyond those silos
- discuss current issues with regard to substantive, methodological and theoretical domains of research in the respective fields
364-1110-00LFoundations of Innovation Studies
Does not take place this semester.
3 credits2GS. Brusoni
AbstractThis course will introduce some of the major theoretical threads and controversies in the broad field of innovation. During the first part of the course, the emphasis will be on the evolution of innovation studies. The final part of the course will focus on one of the directions in which those studies have evolved: the field of managerial cognition.
ObjectiveStudents will learn about various perspectives, examine different methodologies, explore some original empirical research, make connections between theory and empirical research, and practice reviewing and identifying insight in research.

1) Be able to display some knowledge on a few major theoretical streams in the area.
2) Be familiar with the methods, issues and current gaps in the area.
3) Have practiced skills in finding insight and reviewing the literature.
4) Have practiced skills in defining research problems and proposing empirical research in this area.
701-0901-00LETH Week 2020: Health for Tomorrow Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
This lecture is cancelled for 2020. If possible the lecture will be conducted in Autumn Semester 2021.
1 credit3SS. Brusoni, A. Burden, R. Knutti, I. Mansuy, K. Stephan, A. Vaterlaus, E. Vayena
AbstractETH Week is an innovative one-week course designed to foster critical thinking and creative learning. Students from all departments as well as professors and external experts will work together in interdisciplinary teams. They will develop interventions that could play a role in solving some of our most pressing global challenges. In 2020, ETH Week will focus on the topic of health and well-being.
Objective- Domain specific knowledge: Students have immersed knowledge about a certain complex, societal topic which will be selected every year. They understand the complex system context of the current topic, by comprehending its scientific, technical, political, social, ecological and economic perspectives.

- Analytical skills: The ETH Week participants are able to structure complex problems systematically using selected methods. They are able to acquire further knowledge and to critically analyse the knowledge in interdisciplinary groups and with experts and the help of team tutors.

- Design skills: The students are able to use their knowledge and skills to develop concrete approaches for problem solving and decision making to a selected problem statement, critically reflect these approaches, assess their feasibility, to transfer them into a concrete form (physical model, prototypes, strategy paper, etc.) and to present this work in a creative way (role-plays, videos, exhibitions, etc.).

- Self-competence: The students are able to plan their work effectively, efficiently and autonomously. By considering approaches from different disciplines they are able to make a judgment and form a personal opinion. In exchange with non-academic partners from business, politics, administration, nongovernmental organisations and media they are able to communicate appropriately, present their results professionally and creatively and convince a critical audience.

- Social competence: The students are able to work in multidisciplinary teams, i.e. they can reflect critically their own discipline, debate with students from other disciplines and experts in a critical-constructive and respectful way and can relate their own positions to different intellectual approaches. They can assess how far they are able to actively make a contribution to society by using their personal and professional talents and skills and as "Change Agents".
ContentThe week is mainly about problem solving and design thinking applied to the complex world of health and well-being. During ETH Week students will have the opportunity to work in small interdisciplinary groups, allowing them to critically analyse both their own approaches and those of other disciplines, and to integrate these into their work.

While deepening their knowledge about health and well-being, students will be introduced to various methods and tools for generating creative ideas and understand how different people are affected by each part of the system. In addition to lectures and literature, students will acquire knowledge via excursions into the real world, empirical observations, and conversations with researchers and experts.

A key attribute of the ETH Week is that students are expected to find their own problem, rather than just solve the problem that has been handed to them.

Therefore, the first three days of the week will concentrate on identifying a problem the individual teams will work on, while the last two days are focused on generating solutions and communicating the team's ideas.
Prerequisites / NoticeNo prerequisites. Programme is open to Bachelor and Masters from all ETH Departments. All students must apply through a competitive application process at www.ethz.ch/ethweek. Participation is subject to successful selection through this competitive process.