Business Relationships and Networks (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course proceeds as follows: 1st contact day, group work, 2nd-3rd contact day, applied learning assignment

Objective

The student understands the opportunities and challenges of networking as a strategic solution of the organization and outlines the role of the organization in the international value network. He has the ability to identify market opportunities and agilely connect different players into a successful network.

The student is able to develop co-operation between organizations and is able to promote individual-level co-operation and networking through his or her own activities and thus promote business development.

Content

The main themes are
- networks in business
- the conditions, benefits and challenges of networking
- cooperation between companies
- cooperation and interaction between individuals
- value creation and co - development

Materials

Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, Pia, and Nätti, Satu. 2018. ”Orchestrator types, roles and capabilities – A framework for innovation networks.” Industrial Marketing Management, 74, October 2018: 65-78.

Håkansson, Håkan, and David Ford. 2002. How should companies interact in business networks? Journal of Business Research 55, no. 2 (February): 133-139.

La Rocca, Antonella, and Ivan Snehota. 2014. “Relating in Business Networks: Innovation in Practice.” Industrial Marketing Management, Special Issue on Innovation in Networks - Per Freytag and Louise Young, 43 (3): 441–47.

Liker, Jeffrey K, and Thomas Y Choi. 2004. Building deep supplier relationships. Harvard Business Review 82, no. 12 (December): 104-113.

Pulles, Niels J., Jasper Veldman, and Holger Schiele. 2014. “Identifying Innovative Suppliers in Business Networks: An Empirical Study.” Industrial Marketing Management, Special Issue on Innovation in Networks - Per Freytag and Louise Young, 43 (3): 409–18.

Valkokari, Katri, Salminen, Jaakko, Rajala, Anni, Koskela, Merja, Kaunisto, Kari ja Apilo, Tiina. Ekosysteemit ja verkostojen parviäly. 2014. VTT. Luvut 2 ja 5 (lisäksi myös luvut 3-4, jos haluatte)

Vanhala, Mika, Puumalainen, Kaisu and Blomqvist, Kirsimarja. 2011. “Impersonal Trust: The Development of the Construct and the Scale.” Personnel Review 40 (4): 485–513.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods used are lectures, discussions and working together as well as learning assignments in the form of individual and group works. The reflection and feedback are used to support the learning.

Employer connections

Visiting lectures in contact days.

Student workload

Three contact days 20 h
Group work 40 h
Applied learning assignment 40 h
Other independent study 35 h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You will understand the opportunities and challenges of networking as a strategic solution for your organization. You outline the role of an organization in a network. You understand the customer’s needs and identify market opportunities. You know how to design networks that wisely connect different actors. You know how to develop co-operation between organizations and you are able to promote co-operation between individuals through your own activities.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree

Further information

In this course the network competence and business management competence are assessed. The tools for evaluating the learning process are the output and presentation of the group work with an emphasis on informational competence, a learning assignment with an emphasis on applied competence, and an assignment reflecting cooperation.

Competence assessment is based on criteria and the assessment is done by the responsible teacher when all learning assignments have been completed. The evaluation decision is made on a scale of: accepted/failed. The assessment material consists of the learning assignments of the course.