This course provides an introduction to the strategic management of technology. Technology Strategy has three goals, which relate to the three modules of the course. The purpose of the first module, “Basics of Technology Markets”, is to understand how technology and innovation shape strategic decisions. In the second module, “Technology Platforms and Network Dynamics”, we will examine how firms, both in the technology sector and outside, can leverage network effects especially around two-sided platforms to gain competitive advantage – an increasingly relevant business model in today’s economy. Finally, in our third module, “Technology Strategy and Society”, we will interact with guest speakers to discuss how technological change impacts social organization, and how businesses might use these opportunities to create and capture value.

Specific topics and questions include but are not limited to the following:

• How do firms leverage network effects to build sustainable competitive advantage?
• What are the optimal strategies for building multi-sided platforms?
• How should an incumbent firm respond to “disruptive” innovations?
• How can firms commercialize and protect new innovations or scientific discoveries?
• How do new technologies change the way we interact, and how should businesses respond?

Dan Wang

Associate Professor of Business

Dan Wang is Associate Professor of Business and (by courtesy) Sociology at Columbia Business School, where he is also the incoming Faculty Co-Director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise.  His research examines how social networks drive social and economic transformation through the analysis of global migration, social movements, organizational innovation, and entrepreneurship...

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