Technology and Operations Management
(2020 Spring – COVID-19 Adapted Version)
Syllabus
As of May 15h, 2020
Note: This syllabus may be updated and revised at a later date.
Instructor: Kanetaka M. Maki, Ph.D. (kanetaka@kanetaka-maki.org)
Teaching Assistant: Keisuke Takagi and Fang Chen (Charles)
Semester & Class Time: Fall – Fridays – 3rd Period (13:00-14:30)
Classroom: Online (Using Zoom)
Contact Address for the Staff: tome2020s-staff@kanetaka-maki.org
1. Course Description
Technology and Operations Management (TOM) covers two different but interrelated topics: Technology Management and Operations. TOM is a field originally developed at Harvard Business School. The original concept of TOM was started from Operations, specifically focusing on the manufacturing and development of physical products. However, as the world of operations research has changed, the course expands to new issues in information technology, supply chains, service industries, etc.
Currently, TOM is the course that provides the student with competencies in the field of technology management for product design, manufacturing, and innovation.
The course will provide students an introduction to the basics of technology management and various new topics related to innovation management. The course will utilize lectures, case discussions, assignments, and guest speakers from the industry. Students will learn basic frameworks in this TOM field, and they will utilize these frameworks using case studies.
The course is aimed at three types of audience:
- those who are interested in the process/methods of innovation.
- those who are interested in the technology business.
- those who are willing to expand their perspectives.
We will cover many types of technology in this class. However, a STEM background is not required for this course.
2. Course Objective
- To provide you the frameworks and methods to conduct innovation.
- To provide you an overview of the cutting-edge technology-based businesses.
- To provide you the framework to analyze technology-based businesses.
3. Preparation and Assignments
Each student is expected to have completed all readings, assignments for each class before the class starts (approximately 1.5 hours for each class).
4. Class Schedule
The schedule may be updated and revised at a later date.
Session 01: Introduction (4/24) | |
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Session 02: Experimentation & Innovation (5/1) | |
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Session 03: Design Thinking (5/8) | |
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Session 04: User Innovation (5/15) | |
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Session 05: Platform Business (5/22) | |
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Session 06: New Business: Sharing Economy (5/29) | |
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Guest Speaker I: Entrepreneurship in Japan (6/5) | |
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Session 07: New Business: Drone (6/12) | |
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Session 08: New Business: Genome Industry (6/19) | |
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Session 09 (6/26): Service Innovation and Operations | |
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Online Tutorial – Bioinspiration (7/3) | |
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Online Simulation Competition (6/26-7/3 or 7/10) | |
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Session 10 (7/10): Innovation Tournaments | |
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Class 11 (7/17): Inclusive Innovation | |
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Session 12 (7/24): What is Innovation? & Wrap-up | |
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Optional Supplement Material for Summer Holidays I (8/1-): Bioinspiration | |
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Optional Supplement Material for Summer Holidays II (8/1-): Star Scientists | |
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Optional (Face to Face Only): Design Thinking Workshop | |
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5. Classroom Procedure
- The course meets 15 times for 90 minutes each time. Class sessions will begin and end on time. Please be punctual so that you do not miss the initial thrust of the discussions or disturb others. If you need to miss a class please email me in advance. Keep in mind class participation is part of your grade.
- Each student is expected to have completed all readings, assignments for each class before the class starts. Assignments will be submitted prior to each class through CourseN@vi. Each student should be prepared and expect to participate in classroom discussions.
- Many of the sessions of this class will follow the discussion format. This allows you to apply theories, concepts and analytical devices discussed in class or in the reading materials, or from other relevant current events or news sources. The direction and quality of the discussion are the collective responsibility of the class, not the sole responsibility of the instructor. Class participation will be graded on your readiness, willingness and the quality of your comments and their contribution to the discussion.
- I expect each student to be prepared at all times to comment on any class session. To reinforce this expectation, I will randomly cold call on students during the ensuing discussion, both those who raise their hands and those who do not.
6. Textbooks
- Required
- A carefully selected list of readings is provided. We will provide you all printed handouts.
- We will use IT tools to facilitate the discussion – You are required to bring your smartphone, tablet or PC to the class.
- Reference
- Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation 5th Edition, Robert Burgelman et al., McGraw-Hill Education
- Managing Business Process Flows: Principles of Operations Management 3rd Edition, Ravi Anupindi et al., Prentice Hall
7. Grading
- You will receive 1-point for each of the following:
- Submit class contribution after the class (either synchronous or asynchronous) by the deadline (must include the magic word announced in the class).
- Submit pre-assignment by the deadline.
- Pass the quiz of self-study materials.
- Contribution to the class discussion (synchronous or asynchronous).
- Contribution to other student’s learning (“Leave no one behind”).
- You will receive “B” by receiving 15-points.
- The weight of criteria 1-5 for the final grade will be decided by the instructor at the end of the semester. The final grade will be decided based on the WBS official rule of the distribution.
- Please check the scores and let TA know if there is any mistake. It is your responsibility to check the scores. If you did not claim by the end of the semester, we take it as you agreed with the scores you received.
- For those students who registered in the second round or later, please check whether all scores are included.
[Contributing to the Class Discussion]
The frequency (i.e., the quantity) of your interventions in class is not a key criterion for effective class contribution.
Some criteria used to evaluate class contribution are as follows:
- Is the participant deeply engaged in class? The use of laptops and electronic devices for non-class purposes can negatively affect class participation and learning experience.
- Is the participant a good listener? Are the points made relevant to the discussion? Are they linked to the comments of others? Do the comments show evidence of the analysis of the case?
- Is there a willingness to test new ideas, or are all comments “safe”? (For example, repetition of case facts without analysis and conclusions).
- Do comments clarify or build upon the important aspects of earlier comments and lead to a clearer understanding of the case?
8. Course Policies
- Laptop Computers/Tablets/Smartphones
- In order to increase focus, the use of Laptop Computers, Tablets, and/or SmartPhones will be only used for a class learning purpose.
- Online Course Instructions
- I will announce this in session 01. Please follow the rule for the online course.
- Academic Integrity
- The integrity of scholarship is essential for an academic community. As members of the Waseda Business School, we pledge ourselves to uphold the highest ethical standards. The University expects that both faculty and students will honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of University intellectual work. For students, this means that all academic work will be done by the individual to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind.
- The complete Waseda Business School Policy on Integrity of Scholarship can be viewed at the Student Honor Code for WBS Courses.
- The Honor Code in This Course
- You can work with anyone on class assignments. I suggest that you work in study groups on homework assignments.
- Your class preparation and assignments must not benefit from class materials by students who took this course in prior years, or at other schools. Using course notes or PowerPoint slides you received from previous students of this class is a violation of the Honor Code.
9. Notes
- If you have any questions regarding the class, please send a message to staff ML. Please do not use Facebook chat etc.
- Kanetaka M. Maki, Ph.D. Official Web Page: https://kanetaka-maki.org/