// Content

Due to the digital transformation, innovation management is currently facing many new challenges which have so far reived comparably little attention. In many ways, open innovation activities have become a de-facto standard in industry, as the boundaries between different organisations are constantly permeated by purposive flows of knowledge on modern communication media. This course explores the ways how innovation can be managed under such circumstances. In addition to the original view of open innovation from a single company’s perspective, it looks at open innovation as a systemic activity in networks of different organizations and on wider platforms of innovation. In doing so, the students get acquainted with different analytical approaches to the management of open innovation and their benefits in practice. As part of their assignment, students will study a case of open innovation on their own and discuss its managerial implications.

//Organization: Course change from this semester onwards

Formerly, the module Implementing Innovation consisted of two separate courses: Digital Innovation (2,5 ECTS) and Innovation Design (2,5 ECTS).

From winter semester 2026/27, the module Implementing Innovation will only (!) be offered in winter semester as the course “Implementing Innovation”, which will cover the contents of Digital Innovation and Innovation Design and be one single 5 ECTS course. The module and examination numbers will not change.

For the transition phase in summer term 2026, the course Implementing Innovation will be offered as a 5 ECTS course for the first time but with limited places.

=> If you are new to the module, please scroll down to // Implementing Innovation

=> If you study at FAU TECH or FAU NAT (e.g. Data Science, MedTech, NOT WING) please scroll down to // Innovation Design.

=> If you study at FAU WISO (including WING) and have already completed Digital Innovation and only need to complete Innovation Design, please scroll down to // Innovation Design.

=> If you have already completed Innovation Design and only need to complete Digital Innovation, please scroll down to //Implementing Innovation

// Admin

The application for the course is done on StudOn and will be open from 27^th March. Please scroll down for the application deadlines and the StudOn Links.

The number of places is limited and participants will be drawn randomly from the students, who registered for this course in the mentioned registration period.

-> Important Note: The module is part of an early registration programme. Examination registration via campo will have to be performed in the first weeks of the lecture period and will not be possible afterwards (i.e. the normal registration period).

Students not early registered for the examination will not be able to finish the course in the respective semester.

Further information will be provided during the KickOff.

// Implementing Innovation

=> Application Deadline: 16.4.2026
=> StudOn-Link: https://www.studon.fau.de/studon/go/crs/6871797
(You will get a notification until 19.4.2026 regarding your course enrolment)

Implementing Innovation is a course which combines theoretical knowledge on platform design with a hands-on and method-oriented approach. At first, the course will cover the theoretical knowledge essential for designing and managing digital platforms. Afterwards, the course follows a hands-on approach, where the students work in small teams and progress through a structured path e.g., from a fuzzy idea to a concrete prototype, where they are supported by professional material and templates as well as examples from practice. As an individual part of the examination, students will submit a reflection paper on the progress and their learning journey. Throughout the various activities, the students acquire sound knowledge about lean and design thinking approaches to analyze, drive and design innovation-oriented projects and value-creation strategies. They also learn how to establish a convincing value proposition as well as business model to achieve a product-market fit, for example by integrating their customers along the innovation design process. Finally, the course aims to develop the presentation and storytelling skills of the students and enhance their pitching abilities.

The course takes place on-site at WiSo and targets students from FAU WISO including WING. Students will be admitted to the course after the application deadline. Please find the schedule attached:

Important note: Changes to some of these dates might be communicated on this website early in the semester. The final schedule will be announced in the kickoff.

Digital Innovation:
If you have already completed Innovation Design and only need to complete Digital Innovation, please send an e-mail to joni.riihimaeki@fau.de and join us for the Kickoff Lecture in Implementing Innovation.

// Innovation Design

=> Application Deadline: 10.04.2026
=>StudOn Link: https://www.studon.fau.de/studon/go/crs/6871795
(You will get a notification until 13.4.2026 regarding your course enrolment)

Innovation Design is a practice-oriented seminar and aims to encourage students to solve real-life challenges that are provided by partner companies.

The course is going to be offered as a block course by lecturer and chair alumnus Dr. Carlos Rabes. Please find the schedule attached:

Important note: Changes to some of these dates might be communicated on this website early in the semester, as we are still in discussions with practical partners for this course. The final schedule will be announced in the kickoff.

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