This is a Related Course of the MOT program.
This course when combined with its follow-on course (Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Information Technology) is intended to be the 'capstone' strategy and general management course for students interested in pursuing careers in the global information technology industry. Students will benefit the most from taking the two courses in sequence (thus effectively taking a 4-unit course which due to administrative issues had to be given two distinct course names).
Target audience:
- Students pursuing careers in the global information technology industry, including both those who are new to the industry as well as those who have had prior experience in the industry.
- Students pursuing careers in services firms (e.g. management consulting, investment banking, investment management) focusing on the IT industry will also find this course highly useful.
Learning objectives:
- View the IT industry through the eyes of the general manager/CEO of an IT firm (whether a start-up or an industry giant).
- Understand how to evaluate strategic options and their consequences.
- Understand the perspectives of various industry players and be able to anticipate how they are likely to behave under various circumstances.
Meeting day/time: Monday and Wednesday, 4:00-6:00 PM (First half of semester: 1/21 to 3/11)
Class format: Topics are covered through case studies and first-hand accounts from guest speakers.
Required readings: Course reader and additional readings from the Internet.
Basis for final grade: Case study responses (60%) and class participation (40%).
FAQ:
1) How does this course differ from other courses at Haas?
- Some courses teach functional skills you will need in the future: accounting, marketing, corporate finance, product management, etc.
- Some courses present tools and frameworks for analyzing situations: economics, strategy, game theory, innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.
This course applies concepts from many of your prior courses as well as introducing some potentially novel/unfamiliar concepts to a specific context: the IT industry, past, present, and future.
Our goal is to gain an in-depth understanding of one specific industry to the point that when presented with a specific case, you will be able to analyze the situation with nearly the same rigor and depth as the general manager/CEO in the case. In fact, in some cases, you will be analyzing the situation together WITH the real-life general manager/CEO in the case.
2) I already have years of experience in the IT industry. Is this course useful for me?
Yes, you are one of the core constituencies for this course. You will gain much broader and deeper insight into how the industry functions, the perspectives of key players in the industry, how key players interact with one another, and the strategic issues/dilemmas facing management. You will also view your prior experience and the issues you encountered with a new perspective.
3) I am starting my own IT/Internet/Web2.0/video game company. Is this course useful for me?
Yes, you are another one of the core constituencies for this course. You will gain insight into how to build those critical first relationships with key players in the industry, how to anticipate how various players will likely react to an innovative new IT product or service, and how to build a large-scale sustainable business around this innovation.
4) I am not an engineer. Will I be able to keep up?
In many cases, yes. Although we will cover many technology sectors and emerging technologies in case studies, this course is NOT intended to serve as a technology tutorial or a managing information systems (MIS) course nor will we spend time 'geeking' out on new technologies. This course focuses on general management and strategy in the IT industry. It does not focus on IT itself. We will delve into the technology only to the extent necessary to understand the choices facing the general manager. Supplementary technology tutorials will be provided as reference in some cases.
5) I am not a business major. Will I be able to keep up?
Prior exposure to microeconomics, accounting and finance is helpful. Supplementary reading is provided to those who are not familiar with accounting/financial terminology (e.g. how to read a financial statement).
6) Why are there two courses? Should I take the first course or the second course?
You will benefit the most from taking the two courses in sequence, effectively taking a 4-unit course (although they will still count as two distinct courses for grading purposes and for those satisfying the requirements for the MOT certificate). The two courses were given distinct course names due to administrative issues. The weekly schedule/syllabus for each half of the semester is still being finalized.
7) How has the course/instructor been rated in the past?
Here's student feedback from the Spring 2008 course offered by this instructor:
"Most classes have either breadth or depth - this is one of the only classes at Haas that has had both and I feel privileged to have taken it."
"Best professor at Haas hands down."
"He's taught the two best classes I have had at Haas."
8) Still have questions? Email the instructor: rezam at haas.berkeley.edu
Course Syllabus (pdf)
Related Course: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Information Technology
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