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
Main facts
 Structure
 Lessons learned
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Some aspects specific to topics straddling
management & technology
 Rationale from the side of demand
 Rationale from the side of supply
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A possible future
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
Main facts
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Structured in 2003, carried
out in 2004-2005
Class of 18 “high-potential”
students with engineering
background (5-yr degree)
Objectives
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to provide high-level training
on management of innovation
and product development
resource retention and
incentive to employees
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
Structure of the curriculum
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Structure
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80 ECTS (40 ECTS based on lectures, equivalent to 400 hours, 40 ECTS
based on project work)
The initial program included seminars and company visits
22 months duration, with required attendance of about 24 hours per
month (a full Friday and Saturday morning every two weeks)
Curriculum developed jointly with IVECO (not dictated by!)
Faculty and staff
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Small scientific board (3 professors + 1 representative each from IVECO
and ISVOR)
Core faculty coming from Politecnico di Torino
Practitioners (FIAT group and consultants)
Some lecturers from abroad (Germany and USA)
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

Teaching style
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Lecture-based, with frequent use of case studies
Grading system based on exams and individual assignments
Three main topic areas
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From strategy to operations  Learning theory and gaining
competencies needed to manage innovation
From operations to technology  Supporting the product development
process
Technology  Industry-specific and technical-oriented courses
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
Structure
First year
Second year
Corporate strategy
Management of new product
development
The dynamics of technological
innovation
IT systems for new product
development
Innovation strategy
Strategic purchasing
Fundamentals of costing and
corporate finance
Product life-cycle management
Strategic marketing
Knowledge management
Benchmarking
Materials science
Reliability
Virtual engineering and early
prototyping
Organizational change, leadership
POLITECNICO
DI TORINO
and teamworking
Technology for assembly and
manufacturing
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
Project management
Some aspects specific to management
and technology
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Technology alone does not warrant business success (innovation is more
than just invention!)
There is strong demand (both existing and latent) to provide business-level
competencies to
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high-potential employees in large companies
technical managers
entrepreneurs
Such courses are difficult to set up
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DIY is viable but ineffective (which books should I read? Can a ready-made
recipe for success exist?)
Many management development courses are being offered worldwide, but
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It is an “easy” subject (in theory!)  overflow of offerings
Many providers are not qualified  how do you find the right one?
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
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A degree program can be very effective concerning
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cost (with respect to occasional management development courses)
contents
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the provider is qualified,
the program is broad-based and spans complementary subjects
topics are covered in depth
the incentive given to students
A degree program requires long-term commitment
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Degree education is not training
Students have to be motivated (they can fail exams, they have to keep up with
the commitment)
Time has to be spent for setting it up
Time will be spent by students and other stakeholders supporting their work
Budget
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
Rationale from the side of supply
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Is there a core faculty (or is there a great staff enabling
outsourcing)?
Does the faculty have something to teach?
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Is the subject appropriate to the audience?
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Theory
State-of-the art methods, tools, technologies
Empirical results showing best- and worst-practice
Right mix of (applicable) theory and (generalizable) practice
Something that you would not teach to “ordinary” students
Is the program financially sustainable?
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revenue = willingness to pay x demand
cost = expectations by faculty + cost of staff + overheads
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda
A possible future
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Lecturing language: English
Non-exclusive cooperation (the value of diversity!) with
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Modular structure, in order to fulfil demand coming from different industries and
technical domains (e.g., manufacturing, e-business, ICT, etc.)
Target candidates
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Clients (individuals, firms, intermediaries)
Other providers (ESCP-EAP, UCLA, etc.)
Graduates in economics, engineering, science with at least 2 years’ working experience
Entrepreneurs and managers without a university degree (can be awareded with
certificates but not degrees)
Structure of course
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80 ECTS (40 ECTS based on lectures, equivalent to 400 hours, 40 ECTS based on project
work)
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)
e-business track
Electives
(15 ECTS
on a menu of 18)
other tracks
Electives
(15 ECTS
on a menu of 18)
Innovation in
manufacturing track
Electives
(15 ECTS
on a menu of 18)
Other tracks can be added according to demand and through co-operation
with Departments and industrial partners
POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Dipartimento di Sistemi di Produzione ed Economia dell’Azienda