Technology Strategy: Creative Destruction from Coursera

The success of modern companies depends critically on their ability to manage and respond to technological change. Innovation is continually challenging companies’ competitive advantages, giving rise to new business models, and stimulating new platform-based competition. Managers and entrepreneurs need to understand these strategic forces and how they impact firms and industries in the modern knowledge economy. This course explains how technological innovation affects the competitive dynamics of markets, and how managers and entrepreneurs alike can strategically manage these dynamics to maximize the likelihood of success.

Drawing on many years of research, this course teaches various tools, concepts, and analytical frameworks that help to characterize and analyze strategic problems arising from innovation and technological change. It also offers appropriate strategic responses that managers and entrepreneurs can implement to achieve market leadership for their companies. In a nutshell, this course seeks to help managers and entrepreneurs navigate through the “gales of creative destruction” (a term coined by the famous economist Joseph Schumpeter) unleashed by technological innovation.

What's inside

Syllabus

MODULE 1: LIFE CYCLES OF INNOVATION

In this module, we will focus on the fundamentals of how innovation creates regular patterns in industries and markets over time.

MODULE 2: TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTION

In this module, we will understand the fascinating phenomenon of technological disruption – why is it that well-established leading companies are (sometimes) threatened and displaced when they face a new emerging technology?

MODULE 3: BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION

In this module, we will engage in a detailed discussion on business models and the various components of a business model.

MODULE 4: STANDARDS AND PLATFORMS

In this module, we explore a major new development in the technology-led business landscape: the emergence of competition based on standards and platforms.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops critical thinking skills that enable students to analyze strategic problems arising from innovation and technological change

Taught by instructors who have extensive experience in business strategy and innovation

Explores technological disruption and its impact on established companies

Examines the role of business model innovation in driving competitive advantage

Suitable for individuals with a strong interest in the impact of technology on business and strategy

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Technology Strategy: Creative Destruction with these activities:

Volunteer at a Tech Startup or Innovation Hub

Show steps

Gain practical experience by volunteering at a technology startup or innovation hub, which will expose you to real-world innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Browse courses on Innovation

Show steps

Identify potential organizations to volunteer with
Apply for a volunteer position
Participate in projects and assist with tasks

Develop a Business Plan for a Technology-Based Startup

Show steps

Start a project to develop a business plan for a technology-based startup, applying your knowledge of innovation to create a viable business model.

Browse courses on Entrepreneurship

Show steps

Identify a technology or market opportunity
Develop a business model and revenue strategy
Conduct market research and competitive analysis

Follow Tutorials on Platform Strategies

Show steps

Follow guided tutorials to learn about platform strategies and their impact on market dynamics, enhancing your understanding of competitive advantage.

Show steps

Enroll in online courses or workshops on platform strategies
Watch videos and tutorials from industry experts

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Read 'The Innovator's Dilemma'

Show steps

Review classic insights on technological disruption from 'The Innovator's Dilemma' to gain a deeper understanding of its impact on businesses.

View The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books) on Amazon

Show steps

Read and summarize key chapters on disruptive innovation
Identify examples of disruptive innovations in your own industry

Attend a Workshop on Standards and Innovation

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the role of standards in innovation and industry dynamics through participation in a workshop focused on this topic.

Browse courses on Standards

Show steps

Research and identify relevant workshops
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions

Practice Identifying Technological Disruptions

Show steps

Practice identifying technological disruptions in different industries to enhance your understanding of how they occur and impact businesses.

Show steps

Read articles and case studies on famous technological disruptions
Analyze the key factors that led to these disruptions
Develop criteria for identifying potential technological disruptions

Participate in a Study Group on Technological Change

Show steps

Engage in discussions and collaborate with peers in a study group to explore different aspects of technological change and its implications for businesses.

Browse courses on Technological change

Show steps

Find a study group or create one with classmates
Prepare and lead discussions on assigned topics
Collaborate on projects and case studies

Create a Presentation on the Impact of Business Model Innovation

Show steps

Develop a presentation on business model innovation to demonstrate your understanding of its components and strategies.

Browse courses on Business Model Innovation

Show steps

Research different types of business models and their key characteristics
Analyze successful examples of business model innovation
Create a presentation outlining the benefits and challenges of business model innovation

Career center

Learners who complete Technology Strategy: Creative Destruction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for leading and managing innovation efforts within an organization. This course can help them develop and implement innovation strategies that maximize the likelihood of success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Technology Entrepreneur

Technology Entrepreneurs start and run their own technology companies. This course can help them understand the challenges and opportunities of starting a technology company, as well as how to develop and implement a successful technology strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Entrepreneur

Technology Consultant

Technology Consultants help organizations develop and implement technology strategies. This course would be very useful to Technology Consultants, as it gives an in-depth overview of how technological innovation impacts the competitive dynamics of markets. This can help them better advise clients on how to navigate the rapidly changing technology landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Consultant

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the development and launch of new products and services. This course would be particularly useful to Product Managers who must understand how innovation can create opportunities for new products, as well as the risks posed by disruptive technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. This course can help them understand the latest trends in computer science, as well as the challenges and opportunities of developing new technologies in a rapidly changing field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This course can help them understand the latest trends in data science, as well as the challenges and opportunities of using data to make better decisions in a rapidly changing world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course can help them understand the latest trends in software development, as well as the challenges and opportunities of developing software in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course can help them understand how technological innovation is changing the way data is collected and analyzed, as well as the new opportunities and challenges that this creates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design, develop, and maintain artificial intelligence systems. This course can help them understand the latest trends in artificial intelligence, as well as the challenges and opportunities of developing AI systems in a rapidly changing field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officers are responsible for overseeing an organization's technology and innovation strategy. They need to have a strong understanding of technology trends and how they may impact the business landscape. This course introduces students to how technological innovation affects markets and offers tools for analyzing strategic problems to achieve market leadership.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers design, develop, and maintain blockchain applications. This course can help them understand the latest trends in blockchain technology, as well as the challenges and opportunities of developing blockchain applications in a rapidly changing field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their performance. This course can help them understand how technological innovation is changing the business landscape, and how organizations can adapt to these changes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Market Researcher

Market Researchers study market trends and customer behavior to help organizations develop new products and services. This course can help them understand how technological innovation is changing consumer behavior and the implications for market research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This course can help them understand how technological innovation can create opportunities for new products and services, as well as the risks posed by disruptive technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate the financial performance of companies and make investment recommendations. This course can help them understand how technological innovation is impacting the financial performance of companies, as well as the risks and opportunities that this creates for investors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst