New RSM MOOC explores innovation and idea management

In a new massive open online course (MOOC) by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), business executives, entrepreneurs and students will be taken on a journey through innovation management concepts, theories of idea generation, selection, strategy formulation and implementation. During the free, nine-week online course, participants will also learn tricks and tools they can use to implement innovation projects.

The MOOC in Innovation Management is developed as an integral part of the RSM’s bachelor programmes. Third-year bachelor students will follow online lectures, complemented by on campus response lectures and workshops. The online course, for which RSM does not charge a fee, is also open to managers, entrepreneurs and other professionals who are interested in innovation management.

Being effective in innovation

“Innovation requires a different approach than business as usual,” says Dr Serge Rijsdijk, assistant professor of innovation management, who teaches in the MOOC. He added that companies that do not innovate will perish but that being effective in innovation is not easy. “To create something new, you need a certain mindset. With the tools and tricks in this course, participants will get a general overview of all aspects that are important for innovation, which will help them to truly understand innovation and apply it,” said Rijsdijk.

How to create and implement new ideas

With a study load of two to four hours per week, business professionals, entrepreneurs and students will develop an innovative mindset and expertise in how firms successfully create new ideas for marketing new products. Professionals can implement their new knowledge into their organisation immediately. Guided by RSM’s world-class academics, they will explore how firms bring in new business models and get new products and services to the market. The syllabus also includes sessions about innovation strategy, idea management and social networks. The instructors of the MOOC are Prof. Jan van den Ende, Dr Serge Rijsdijk; Sandra Langeveld, MSc; Dr Daan Stam; Dr Dirk Deichmann; Dr Murat Tarakci; and Dr Stefano Tasselli.

The first run of RSM’s nine-week MOOC in Innovation Management starts on Tuesday 29 March. The course is taught in English, and can be followed free of charge via Coursera, a provider of online classes from more than 120 top universities and educational organisations.

Management of innovation at RSM

RSM has a range of management of innovation programmes. In addition to the full-time MSc in Management of Innovation programme, RSM offers specialised executive education programmes for professionals. They include New Business Development, which consists of 10 evening workshops, as well as the three-day Business Model Innovation programme. There is also a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in RSM’s Parttime Master Bedrijfskunde and MBA programmes.

More information

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. www.rsm.nl

For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Erika Harriford-McLaren, communications manager for RSM, on +31 10 408 2877 or by email at harriford@rsm.nl.