Prior Courses
Table of contents
Spring 2026
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Technology & Innovation Strategy in the Age of Platforms, Ecosystems and Artificial Intelligence Prof. Rahul Kapoor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania |
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3.03.2026: 10:30-17:30 4.03.2026: 10:30-17:30
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This doctoral seminar examines the major streams of management research in technology and innovation strategy, with an emphasis on how contemporary shifts in platforms, ecosystems, and artificial intelligence are reshaping firms, industries, and the nature of value creation. We will build from foundational theories of technological change, industry evolution, and innovation strategy, while extending them to analyze emerging phenomena such as multisided platforms, innovation ecosystems, and AI-enabled technological change.
Throughout the seminar, we will explore how new technologies and organizational forms both challenge and enrich established theoretical frameworks. Particular attention will be given to the strategic choices firms make as technologies evolve; the coordination, governance, and value-creation dynamics within ecosystems; and the performance implications of platform competition and AI adoption. We will also consider how these forces influence entrepreneurial entry, scaling, and industry transformation.
The goal of the course is to equip doctoral students with a deep understanding of the interplay between technologies, organizations, and markets, and to identify high-potential opportunities for scholarly contribution. By engaging classic and contemporary research—including frontier work on platforms, ecosystems, and AI—students will develop the analytical tools, theoretical grounding, and research sensibilities necessary to advance academic discourse on technology strategy and innovation in today’s rapidly changing environment.
The syllabus for this course is available here: Syllabus Technology & Innovation Strategy (PDF, 276 KB)
View the course in the course catalogue: here
Fall 2025
UZH Innovathon 2025: The Digitalization of Mobility
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This transdisciplinary course equips students with innovation skills through structured, hands-on problem-solving techniques. Students learn how to approach problems creatively, collaborate across disciplines, and develop impactful solutions. Working with practice partners, students tackle real-world challenges, contributing directly to solving these. Please check UZH Innovathon website for more details! |
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Instructor:
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze, Dr. Nadine Zurkinden, Dr. Maria Abdollahpouri, Dr. Sebastiano Caprara, Dr. Tumasch Reichenbacher, Dr. Claudia Röösli, Dr. Ning Wang, |
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Dates:
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September 11 - 12, 2025 all day: Teaching Sessions
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Application method:
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Please apply on the course catalogue with a short description of personal motivation (max half page). |
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August 13 - 26, 2025. |
Spring 2025
| MOS research Seminar CHANGE Strategy, Organization & Innovation Research Seminar |
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When: 12:15 – 13:15 Where: SOF-E-05 (Schönberggasse 1) |
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Dates & Speakers:
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9 October, 2025
Maarten Cerpentier (ETH Zürich)— hosted by Anja Schulze
Country Intellectual Property Protection, Firm Size, and New-to-the-World Innovations -
23 October, 2025
Tim Meyer (Universität St. Gallen) — hosted by Raphael Flepp
The Effect of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Innovation: Evidence from Software Products -
6 November, 2025
Murat Tarakci (IMD) — hosted by Johannes Luger
Title: tbd -
20 November, 2025
tbd -
4 December, 2025
Ryan Miller (UZH) — hosted by Jochen Menges
Communion then Agency: Women’s Ascension to the Hospital CEO Role
| Seminar for Master students: Managing Digital Innovation Spring 2025 |
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| This seminar introduces how firms cope with and respond to the chances, changes, and challenges, that digital technologies bring to firms' innovation activities. course catalogue |
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze |
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February 21, 2025, 10:15 - 12:00: Kick-off session March 21, 2025, 09:15 - 12:00: Midterm presentation May 8 - May 9, 2025, 10:15 - 17:00: Paper presentation |
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Please upload a letter of interest, CV, and the latest transcript to the module booking system. |
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January 28, 2025. |
| Seminar for PhD students: Innovation and entrepreneurial strategies in the age of platforms, ecosystems and artificial intelligence |
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This doctoral seminar examines the evolving dynamics of strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship in an era defined by platforms, ecosystems, and artificial intelligence. Traditional concepts and frameworks in these fields are being challenged, requiring adaptation, enhancement, or replacement to address the complexities of today’s market landscapes. course catalogue Please check the course syllabus for more information. |
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Prof. Fernando F. Suarez from Northeastern University, Boston |
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April 2 - 4, 2025, 9:00 - 17:00 |
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Please send your application via email with your CV, academic transcripts, and a brief statement of motivation (3-5 sentences) explaining your interest in the seminar to tim@business.uzh. |
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March 7, 2025. |
| Seminar for Master students: Strategic Management of Innovation Spring 2025 |
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| This seminar offers a comprehensive exploration of strategic innovation management, focusing on crucial aspects such as industry dynamics, innovation processes, and the strategic positioning of firms in technologically evolving markets. course catalogue |
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze |
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February 21, 2025: Kick-off session March 28, 2025: First presentation May 16, 2025: Second presentation |
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Please upload a letter of interest, CV, and the latest transcript to the module booking system. |
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January 28, 2025. |
Guest speaker: Luca Gambini, Senior Director of Sunrise
In the seminar, we are excited to host Luca Gambini, who is very experienced in the telecommunications and high-tech sectors. As the Senior Director at Sunrise, Switzerland's largest private telecommunications operator, Luch will enrich our seminar with his comprehensive real-world experience. Luca's presentation aims to link theoretical concepts with practical insights. Drawing from his 20 years of professional journey, which spans major IT and digital programs in Europe and the Middle East, he will share his perspectives on innovatively managing business challenges. His role at Sunrise, where he spearheads IT demand and delivery, digital transformations, and innovation strategies, offers a rich context for understanding the practical applications of strategic management principles in the dynamic field of telecommunications.
Further, Luca's expertise is not limited to the corporate sphere. He is a respected academic collaborator and guest lecturer, contributing to top-ranked universities like HEC Paris, University of St. Gallen, and EPFL Lausanne. Recently, he was recognized with the “Business Sponsor Award” from the London School of Economics, for his contributions to the Open Innovation master class.
In his presentation, Luca will focus on the integration of business and technology, demonstrating how an organization’s strategic activities can drive innovation.
Fall 2024
UZH Innovathon 2024: The Digitalization of Mobility
| In this special course, students have the opportunity to approach a real work challenge with an interdisciplinary team. Students can learn about the needs and challenges of mobility systems, develop their innovation skills and critical-thinking competence, and also improve their communication and presentation skills to a diverse audience. Please check the Course catalogue and UZH Innovathon website for more details! |
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Instructor:
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze, Dr. Nadine Zurkinden, Dr. Maria Abdollahpouri, Dr. Sebastiano Caprara, Dr. Tumasch Reichenbacher, Dr. Claudia Röösli, Dr. Ning Wang, |
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Dates:
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September 12 - 13, 2024: Teaching sessions
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Application method:
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Please apply on the course catalogue with a short description of personal motivation (max half page). |
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August 14 - 27, 2024. |
Spring 2024
| Seminar for PhD students: Understanding Digital in Management and Innovation Research |
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The seminar aims to equip doctoral candidates with the analytical tools and theoretical frameworks necessary to navigate and contribute to the evolving discourse on digital technologies in management and innovation. course catalogue Prof. Dr. Llewellyn D.W. Thomas from IESE will conduct this seminar. His teaching focuses on the impact of digitalization on organizations, emphasizing process redesign and guiding senior executives in developing a digital mindset. His research explores co-evolutionary processes leading to successful digital innovation, particularly in the dynamics of digital economy ecosystems. Please check the course syllabus (PDF, 292 KB) for more information. |
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Prof. Dr. Llewellyn D.W. Thomas |
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May 14 - 16, 2024, 09:30 - 17:00 |
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Please send an email with your CV and the latest transcript to tim@business.uzh. |
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March 8, 2024. |
| Seminar for Master students: Strategic Management of Innovation |
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| This seminar offers a comprehensive exploration of strategic innovation management, focusing on crucial aspects such as industry dynamics, innovation processes, and the strategic positioning of firms in technologically evolving markets. course catalogue |
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze |
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February 23, 2024: Kick-off session April 26, 2024: First presentation May 24, 2024: Second presentation |
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Please upload a letter of interest, CV, and the latest transcript to the module booking system. |
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February 4, 2024. |
Guest speaker: Luca Gambini, Senior Director of Sunrise
In the seminar, we are excited to host Luca Gambini, who is very experienced in the telecommunications and high-tech sectors. As the Senior Director at Sunrise, Switzerland's largest private telecommunications operator, Luch will enrich our seminar with his comprehensive real-world experience. Luca's presentation aims to link theoretical concepts with practical insights. Drawing from his 20 years of professional journey, which spans major IT and digital programs in Europe and the Middle East, he will share his perspectives on innovatively managing business challenges. His role at Sunrise, where he spearheads IT demand and delivery, digital transformations, and innovation strategies, offers a rich context for understanding the practical applications of strategic management principles in the dynamic field of telecommunications.
Further, Luca's expertise is not limited to the corporate sphere. He is a respected academic collaborator and guest lecturer, contributing to top-ranked universities like HEC Paris, University of St. Gallen, and EPFL Lausanne. Recently, he was recognized with the “Business Sponsor Award” from the London School of Economics, for his contributions to the Open Innovation master class.
In his presentation, Luca will focus on the integration of business and technology, demonstrating how an organization’s strategic activities can drive innovation.
| Seminar for Master students: Managing Digital Innovation |
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| This seminar introduces how firms cope with and respond to the chances, changes, and challenges, that digital technologies bring to firms' innovation activities. course catalogue |
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Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze |
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February 23, 2024, 10:15 - 12:00: Kick-off session March 22, 2024, 09:15 - 12:00: Midterm presentation May 2 - May 3, 2024, 10:15 - 17:00: Paper presentation |
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Please upload a letter of interest, CV, and the latest transcript to the module booking system. |
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February 4, 2024. |
Fall 2023
- Seminar for Master students: Managing Digital Innovation
This seminar provides an overview of how businesses deal with and address the opportunities, alterations, and difficulties presented by digital technologies in their innovation endeavors.
Instructor: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze
Dates:
September 22, 2023, 10:15 - 12:00, KOL-F-103: Kick-off meeting
November 23, 2023, 10:15 - 17:00, KOL-G-222: Paper presentations
November 24, 2023, 10:15 - 17:00, KOL-F-103: Paper presentations
Please check the course catalogue for the details!
- Innovathon Fall '23: The Digitalization of Mobility
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How do you envision the future of mobility? Participate in the UZH Innovathon to give significance to your ideas! This interdisciplinary program organized by Digital Society Initiative Mobility community and UZH Innovation Hub is designed for Master and Doctoral students and revolves around industry partner challenges. What is an Innovathon? If you are interested in what is an Innovathon, please check this video and the winning proposal from Innovathon Fall '22. How to apply? You can apply for this course via the UZH course catalogue from August 16th to 29th, 2023. For more information, please check here. |
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Spring 2023
- Seminar for Master students: Managing Digital Innovation
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze
Dates:
February 24, 2023, 10:15 – 12:00: Kick-off meeting
May 4, 2023 – May 5, 2023, 10:15 – 17:00: Paper presentations
Please check the course catalogue for the details!
- Seminar for PhD and Master students: Business Economics Research
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Ursula Backes-Gellner, Prof. Dr. Helmut Max Dietl, Prof. Dr. Egon-Peter Franck, Prof. Dr. Martin Natter, Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze, Prof. Dr. Carmit Segal, Prof. Dr. Luis Aguiar, Prof. Dr. Patrick Lehnert, Prof. Dr. Katarina Zigova
Dates: Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00, February 21, 2023 - May 30, 2023
Please check the course catalogue for the details!
Fall 2022
- Innovathon Fall 22′: The Digitalization of Mobility
The DSI Mobility Community and the Innovation Hub, Cluster for Digital Innovation organized the Innovathon 2022. Here, Master and PhD students from all disciplines worked on real digital mobility solutions together with challenge partners from the industry.
Dates:
September 14 – 15, 2022: Input Sessions
September 29 – October 1, 2022: Innovathon
October 7, 2022: Final pitch event
Highlights:
Please find more information here
Fall 2021
- Innovathon Fall 21': Digitalization of mobility
The Innovathon 2021: The Digitalization of Mobility was offered as a course at UZH in fall 2021 by Digital Society Initiative and UZH Innovation Hub. The Innovathon brings innovators among students, researchers and industry to work on digitalization challenges.
Dates:
September 14 – 15, 2021: Lecture block
September 30 – October 2, 2021: Innovathon
Please check the Event Video and find more information here
Fall 2017-2019
- PhD-Seminar in Fall 2019: "Theoretical Foundations of Innovation Management"
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze and Prof. Dr. Janell Townsend
Dates:
November 27, 2019, 10:00 – 17:00
November 28, 2019, 10:00 – 17:00
November 29, 2019, 10:00 – 12:30
Please see syllabus (PDF, 141 KB) for more details!
- PhD-Seminar in Fall 2018: "Theoretical Foundations of Innovation Management"
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze and Prof. Dr. Janell Townsend
Dates:
September 24, 2018, 10:00 – 17:00
September 25, 2018, 10:00 – 17:00
December 11, 2018, 10:00 – 16:00
Please see syllabus (PDF, 224 KB) for more details!
- PhD-Seminar in Fall 2017: "Theoretical Foundations of Innovation Management"
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze and Prof. Dr. Janell Townsend
Dates:
October 17- 19, 2017, 10:00 - 16:30
December 11 - 12, 2017 10:00 - 16:30
Please see syllabus (PDF, 221 KB) for more details!
- PhD-Seminar in Fall 2016: "Theoretical Foundations of Innovation Management"
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Anja Schulze and Prof. Dr. Janell Townsend
Dates:
October 10 - 13 (Mo – Wed), 2016 (all day)
December 12 - 13 (Mo – Tue) 2016 (all day)
December 14 (Wed) 2016 (morning)
Please see syllabus (PDF, 171 KB) for more details!