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micro-module

I&E Studies

I&E Studies

Closed for application

Description

The course is rooted on so-called Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), where teams of students assist a company in tackling one of their business challenges. As each challenge has its own specificities, the course develops its content organically, and different teams might be exposed to different pieces of content. Common topics nonetheless include business analysis methodologies (e.g., SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, scenario back-casting, ...), business research methods basics (e.g., inductive research design, designing broad semi-structured interviews, designing surveys, ...), use of data banks (e.g., Statista, Our World In Data, World Bank, Eurostat, ...), and more. Suitable topics for business challenges might include market / business environment analysis (main forces affecting the business, suppliers, partners, competition, environmental issues), sustainability and social issues, business modelling, go-to-market strategies, and more. All challenges are collected by the course’s teachers in the university innovation ecosystem.

The Team

MM
Profile photo
Maurizio Marchese
Teacher
3 learners
Study format
Hybrid
Application period
9 September – 15 October 2024
Study period
30 September – 20 December 2024
Credits
6 ECTS
Pace
0%
Hosting university
University of Trento
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Learning outcomes

Generate Ideas

ESCO SKILLS

Business Analysis

ESCO SKILLS

ICT solutions

ESCO SKILLS

Potential progress

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Information

Teaching Methods

A large autonomy is given to the students to organise and achieve their goals.

Students will work in small teams, with each team assigned to a challenge.

Teams will identify and address a challenge/question in the context of their assigned case, such as considering alternate business models or analysing go-to-market scenarios. Students need to ground their reflections by exploring some specific areas: business environment, competition, suppliers, partners, environmental and sustainability issues, etc, both deductively (i.e., through desk research) and inductively (i.e., through field work) as appropriate.

To address their challenge/question, the students will cover the 4 generic steps of an explorative business analysis:

• Identification of the relevant challenge/question,

• Acquisition of applicable concepts/methods/tools,

• Observations (data collection) on a selected part of the case,

• Analysis and interpretation.

Students’ supervision comprises:

• A few group sessions to introduce and detail the assignments, and help students identify the challenges/questions,

• 1-to-many mentoring sessions, where teams will be coached in completing their case study, and progress will be monitored,

• A final oral defence.

Each student will be in charge of a part of the group’s delivery, with specific “roles” defined during the mentoring sessions.

The companies responsible for the case will contribute to supervision, provide data/contacts, participate in the oral defence and/or offer other meeting occasions to ensure rooting of the business assignment in real life.

While the course foresees several (4-5) plenary lectures covering topics that are of general use to all students, most of the time will be dedicated to group mentoring.

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

After completion of the I&E Studies course, students should…

• … have the ability to apply, synthesise, and evaluate prior I&E learning within a specific innovation or entrepreneurial project setting and a specific innovation area.

• … have the ability to conduct a business analysis, make decisions and formulate recommendations or justify actions in a real environment.

• … have the ability to choose and apply relevant concepts/methods and/or tools and collect relevant data for conducting a business analysis and making decisions in a real environment.

• … have the ability to produce a professional writing on a business analysis topic.

• … have the ability to apply concepts, methods and tools pertaining to identifying and assessing the impact/value of a technology in an industry, market and/or organisation and the innovation / business opportunities it creates.

• … have the ability to reflect critically on issues related to the development of ICT solutions, and their potential pitfalls due to market and/or social reasons.

• … have developed a sense of "out of the box thinking" and creative approaches to problem solving, even in contexts that would otherwise suggest a technical solution.

• … have the ability to make value and ethical judgements about the development of technological and business solutions.

• … have the ability to work as a team with other students to complement each other's competences and perspectives.

Hosting university

University of Trento

University of Trento