POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda The introduction of Master programmes as commissioned learning by companies Master in Management of Innovation and Product Development Prof. Marco Cantamessa DSPEA – Politecnico di Torino

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Contents of the presentation l Main facts l Structure l Lessons learned l Some aspects specific to topics straddling management & technology l Rationale from the side of demand l Rationale from the side of supply l A possible future

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Main facts l Structured in 2003, carried out in l Class of 18 “high-potential” students with engineering background (5-yr degree) l Objectives l to provide high-level training on management of innovation and product development l resource retention and incentive to employees

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Structure of the curriculum l Structure l 80 ECTS (40 ECTS based on lectures, equivalent to 400 hours, 40 ECTS based on project work) l The initial program included seminars and company visits l 22 months duration, with required attendance of about 24 hours per month (a full Friday and Saturday morning every two weeks) l Curriculum developed jointly with IVECO (not dictated by!) l Faculty and staff l Small scientific board (3 professors + 1 representative each from IVECO and ISVOR) l Core faculty coming from Politecnico di Torino l Practitioners (FIAT group and consultants) l Some lecturers from abroad (Germany and USA) l One dedicated tutor-secretary in addition to Politecnico staff

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Structure of the curriculum l Teaching style l Lecture-based, with frequent use of case studies l Grading system based on exams and individual assignments l Three main topic areas l From strategy to operations  Learning theory and gaining competencies needed to manage innovation l From operations to technology  Supporting the product development process l Technology  Industry-specific and technical-oriented courses

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Structure First yearSecond year Corporate strategyManagement of new product development The dynamics of technological innovation IT systems for new product development Innovation strategyStrategic purchasing Fundamentals of costing and corporate finance Product life-cycle management Strategic marketingKnowledge management BenchmarkingMaterials science ReliabilityVirtual engineering and early prototyping Organizational change, leadership and teamworking Technology for assembly and manufacturing Project management

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Some aspects specific to management and technology l Technology alone does not warrant business success (innovation is more than just invention!) l There is strong demand (both existing and latent) to provide business-level competencies to l high-potential employees in large companies l technical managers l entrepreneurs l Such courses are difficult to set up l DIY is viable but ineffective (which books should I read? Can a ready-made recipe for success exist?) l Many management development courses are being offered worldwide, but l It is an “easy” subject (in theory!)  overflow of offerings l Many providers are not qualified  how do you find the right one? l MBAs are costly, lengthy and generally not targeted to technology

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Rationale from the side of demand l A degree program can be very effective concerning l cost (with respect to occasional management development courses) l contents l the provider is qualified, l the program is broad-based and spans complementary subjects l topics are covered in depth l the incentive given to students l A degree program requires long-term commitment l Degree education is not training l Students have to be motivated (they can fail exams, they have to keep up with the commitment) l Time has to be spent for setting it up l Time will be spent by students and other stakeholders supporting their work l Budget

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda Rationale from the side of supply l Is there a core faculty (or is there a great staff enabling outsourcing)? l Does the faculty have something to teach? l Theory l State-of-the art methods, tools, technologies l Empirical results showing best- and worst-practice l Is the subject appropriate to the audience? l Right mix of (applicable) theory and (generalizable) practice l Something that you would not teach to “ordinary” students l Is the program financially sustainable? l revenue = willingness to pay x demand l cost = expectations by faculty + cost of staff + overheads

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda A possible future l Lecturing language: English l Non-exclusive cooperation (the value of diversity!) with l Clients (individuals, firms, intermediaries) l Other providers (ESCP-EAP, UCLA, etc.) l Modular structure, in order to fulfil demand coming from different industries and technical domains (e.g., manufacturing, e-business, ICT, etc.) l Target candidates l Graduates in economics, engineering, science with at least 2 years’ working experience l Entrepreneurs and managers without a university degree (can be awareded with certificates but not degrees) l Structure of course l 80 ECTS (40 ECTS based on lectures, equivalent to 400 hours, 40 ECTS based on project work) l Courses cover 8 months, with required attendance of 50 hours per month (1 full week or 2 half-weeks per month)

POLITECNICO DI TORINO Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda A possible future Core courses (24 ECTS on a menu of 30) Electives (15 ECTS on a menu of 18) Electives (15 ECTS on a menu of 18) Electives (15 ECTS on a menu of 18) e-business track Innovation in manufacturing track other tracks Other tracks can be added according to demand and through co-operation with Departments and industrial partners