Brief course overview:

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This course examines the strategic dimensions of technology and innovation management in contemporary business environments. The curriculum progresses  from foundational concepts in technological change to advanced implementation frameworks for innovation initiatives. Students will analyze theoretical models of disruptive innovation, platform economics, and competitive advantage through technology while engaging with case studies of notable organizations including Kodak, Adobe Systems, Uber, Meta, Barcelona FC, and more. Students will cultivate proficiencies in forecasting technology trends, aligning technological initiatives with business objectives, selecting optimal innovation projects, evaluating timings and methods of new market entry, protecting intellectual assets, designing organizational structures conducive to innovation, and considering differences in business models for new products.

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Instructor evaluations: 
 

• Fall 2023: 4.93/5.00 (Two sections; Total Enrollment: 86; Response Rate: 89.5%)

• Fall 2024: 4.97/5.00 (Three sections; Total Enrollment: 77; Response Rate: 90.9%)

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What past students have said about the course:

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• "Professor Anavir, is one of the most involved professors I have come across in my academic career. He genuinely enjoyed teaching and loves his area of study and research. All the lectures were well structured and I was able to get immense amount of value out of it. I will be using most of the concepts in my own business and educating my team about the same."

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• "Overall this class was arguably one of my best classes in the JSOM MBA program. Professor Shermon was very motivated and prepared for each class with great material. I have referenced and used this material outside of class multiple times in work settings surrounding innovation practices at work."

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• "Amazing professor! Really captivating in lectures, great at bringing the class together, and creating a desire for participation in class discussions. Has a great variety of teaching strategies and uses various methods to grow engagement in class. His case study and breakout group methods were very beneficial."

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• "The course structure is amazing. Class participation is encouraged and Professor Shermon is excellent at creating a conducive environment for discussion. Additionally, the course content is very structured and expectations are clear, which makes it great. I really liked this class!"​​​

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Some notes: 

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• Because this course is cross-listed, MBA and masters students from a range of disciplines ranging from innovation & entrepreneurship, marketing, supply chain management, systems engineering, and information technology are enrolled in the class. In recent years, I have had students from outside the business school also join (e.g., from neuroscience). This undoubtedly raises the quality of discussion. If you are a current student at UTD considering enrolling in this course but unsure about your fit, please reach out to me via email. 

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• In Fall 2025, this course will exhibit a significant AI element. Though not finalized, the plan is to include discussions on how AI is changing innovation processes with regard to both idea generation (i.e., "invention"), idea implementation (i.e., "innovation"), and product commercialization. As such, I plan to integrate both case-based discussions and practical assignments to achieve this.