Entry requirements

1. Bachelor degree in media technology or in a related field with a minimum 180 European Credit Transfer System credits. Examples of related fields include: computer science, informatics, information systems, human-computer interaction, interaction design, media/IT management, game development, media and communication science and digital cultural studies.
2. English proficiency equivalent to English 6 from a Swedish upper secondary school

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course is part of the main area of study media technology and can be included in the degree requirements for a Degree of Master of Science in Media Technology (120 credits).

Course contents

• classification of innovation types and strategic concepts,
• interdisciplinary perspectives on drivers of change in development of media technologies,
• emergence and diffusion of media technologies and their impact on the media intensive industries,
• strategic responses to technological change,
• business development and business challenges associated with digitalisation,
• structures, goals and business concepts in the media industry,
• practical application of innovation and strategy theories in business cases.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course students should be able to:

• explain innovation and strategy concepts,
• explain how new media technologies can create value for companies,
• demonstrate an understanding of technological change and innovation as a threat and opportunity for strategic work in the media intensive industries.

Competence and abilities
By the end of the course students should be able to:

• identify opportunities for innovation through analysis of the needs of users, technologies and business,
• apply theoretical knowledge and practical ability to explain how different factors promote and hinder the creation and dissemination of media technology innovations,
• apply models and methods to simulate, evaluate and predict processes of change within media technology development,
• independently and in group formulate and develop a strategic innovation plan, including a business model for a company.

Evaluation abilities and approach
By the end of the course students should be able to:

• assess and evaluate strategic and innovative media technologies and the consequences of changing market structures on such technologies,
• critically discuss sustainability in relation to technological change,
• argue for methodological, technological and strategic choices in project work.

Learning activities

The course consists of lectures, seminars and project work that is preferably done in collaboration with partners from the business community.

Assessment

Grading is based on oral and written examination, including active participation in seminars.

The course is assessed based on the following:

• Essay (4 credits, UA)
• Seminars (2 credits, UG)
• Written assignments (5 credits, UA)
• Project (4 credits, UA)

To pass the course (A-E): At least grade E on essay (4 credits), written assignments (5 credits) and project (4 credits) and grade G on seminar participation is required.

The course grade is calculated based on the weighted average of assessed parts.

Course literature

• Aris, A. och Bughin, J. (2009) Managing media companies: Harnessing creative value. San Francisco: Wiley.
• Dodgson, M., Gann, D. M., and Salter, A. (2008). Management of technological innovation: Strategy and practice. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Küng, L. (2017) Strategic management in the media: Theory and practice (2 ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.

A collection of scientific articles will be added to the above mentioned literature.

Course evaluation

The University provides students who are taking or have completed a course with the opportunity to share their experiences of and opinions about the course in the form of a course evaluation that is arranged by the University. The University compiles the course evaluations and notifies the results and any decisions regarding actions brought about by the course evaluations. The results shall be kept available for the students. (HF 1:14).

Interim rules

When a course is no longer given, or the contents have been radically changed, the student has the right to re-take the examination, which will be given twice during a one year period, according to the syllabus which was valid at the time of registration.

Additional information

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format.

The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.