Minor in Strategy, Organization & Innovation

The minor Strategy, Organization & Innovation offers a focused set of courses in strategy, organization, governance, and corporate responsibility, complemented by practical modules such as the UZH Innovathon or Organizational Consulting. The curriculum combines solid theoretical foundations with hands-on learning.
Students learn to analyze complex organizational challenges, develop effective strategies, and integrate ethical and sustainability considerations into decision-making. The minor equips students to apply these insights across diverse industries and contexts, including fields such as sports and mobility.

The minor is built around four closely connected subject areas:

1. Strategy
   Understanding how organizations set direction, position themselves competitively, and make long-term strategic choices.

2. Organization & Organizational Design
   How firms structure processes, roles, and coordination to implement strategy effectively and adapt to change.

3. Governance & Corporate Responsibility
   Examining how organizations are governed and how they address responsibilities toward stakeholders, society, and sustainability.

4. Innovation & Strategic Change
   Developing and testing new ideas, business models, and solutions through applied formats such as the Innovathon or consulting-style projects.

Target group and degree program:

• The minor is designed primarily for students from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics and is, to a limited extent, also open to students from other faculties.
• This minor is designed for Master’s students who want to deepen their understanding of how organizations make strategic decisions, organize for execution, and innovate under technological, social, and regulatory change. It is especially relevant for students interested in strategy roles, innovation, responsible leadership, or organizational transformation.

ECTS:

• The program requires a total of 30 ECTS credits

• All ECTS credits must be earned within the core elective area BWL 5 (Strategy, Organization and Innovation)

After completing the minor, students are able to:

• analyze organizational and competitive challenges using established strategy and organization theories;

• understand how organizational structures, processes, and culture influence strategic outcomes;

• evaluate governance arrangements and corporate responsibility issues, including ethical and sustainability trade-offs;

• develop strategic options and innovation pathways for organizations in dynamic environments;

• apply theoretical insights to real problems through case-based, project-oriented, and practice-linked formats.

Career perspectives 

The minor opens strong career opportunities in knowledge-intensive and future-oriented fields. Graduates are in high demand in:

• management consulting,

• corporate strategy and business development,

• innovation and transformation management,

• and roles focused on responsible leadership and new business models. 

They are prepared to drive change, lead teams, and build or scale innovative ventures — both in established companies and in start-ups or venture capital environments.