Andrew Hargadon

Managing Innovation

This course focuses on understanding the dynamics of innovation and the strategies that firms can pursue to exploit these dynamics. We will consider these strategies and the particular tactics that are available to individual managers. We will also consider the interactions between an organization's innovation strategies, its work practices, and its culture. The course involves written analyses, case discussions, and innovation.

Managing Technology (graduate level)

This course focuses on the design and implementation of new technologies in the marketplace and in organizations. Particular emphasis is on the introduction of information technologies in organizations. Topics include the diffusion and adoption of new technologies; the design of new technologies; the management of development projects; and the politics of implementation. The course involves written analyses, case discussions, and an innovation plan.

Business Development Clinics, I and II

(Winter Quarter) Students learn to work closely in small, interdisciplinary teams to synthesize technical, strategic, and marketing needs and resources into designs for new ventures. Topics include market research, financial modeling, prototyping, and resource acquisition. Teams develop business models for a wide range of emerging technology and market opportunities. The small, interdisciplinary team structures are carried forward to evaluate, refine, and recommend development strategies, progressing from rapid opportunity valuation to more sophisticated business modeling. The course culminates with a preliminary proposal for a single venture, to be pursued in the Spring quarter. Instruction and experimentation are integrated and overseen by both faculty and practicing professionals (investors, entrepreneurs, and executives).(Spring Quarter) Student teams focus on the in-depth development of a business model and plan based on a technology and market opportunity first identified and refined in Winter quarter (for sponsored teams, this project may focus on technology and market opportunity jointly defined with sponsors). The final project is a business plan and peripheral materials for a new venture. Instruction and experimentation are integrated and overseen by both faculty and practicing professionals (investors, entrepreneurs, and executives).

Business Development Intensive

The business development intensive is designed for PhD-level (advanced to candidacy) students and post-docs who can commit one week to an intensive workshop hosted by the GSM Entrepreneurship Center. The objective of the workshop is to increase the knowledge and skill base of research scientists regarding technology commercialization and new business development: navigating intellectual property and technology transfer, developing and validating potential opportunities for commercialization, and integrating scientific research and entrepreneurship.

The format of the workshop is a 5-day immersive program integrating lecture, exercises, and team projects (see overview of curriculum). Upon completion, participants leave with knowledge and skills needed to recognize, develop, and communicate potential commercial opportunities arising from their research and to tap the social networks linking them to the entrepreneurial community on the Davis campus.

Managing Technology (undergraduate level)

Technology management is an introduction to the management of firms in high-technology industries such as software development and biotechnology research. The course uses cases, readings, and exercises to understand the issues involved in motivating and managing knowledge workers, organizing for innovation, and decision making in fast-paced business environments.