Strategic Management and Innovation
Strategic Management and Innovation equips current and future leaders with the ability to make sense of complexity, uncertainty, and constant change. The master level course focuses on applying strategic and innovative thinking tools to understand an organisation’s strategic position and translate that understanding into actionable strategies. By linking analytical insight with managerial decision-making, the course bridges the gap between strategic intent and real-world execution
Practical info
Course Date
Capacity
6 ECTS (156 academic hours, of which 32 in classroom and 124 individual work)
Lecturers
Language
English
Method
In class
Prerequisites
To ensure effective participation and meaningful peer learning, applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- At least 3 years of work experience in creative industry or entrepreneurship
- For non-Estonian residents: EU citizenship or a valid temporary residence permit that allows study in Estonia.
Location
EBS University, A.Lauteri 3, Tallinn
Price
A structured and practice-driven approach to strategy and innovation
The course offers managers a clear and structured framework for leading strategy and innovation in a deliberate and systematic way. Participants work with practical tools and methodologies, applying them directly to their own organisations or real-life cases to develop and renew business models. The learning process is designed for purposeful use of time, moving efficiently from theory to application and resulting in strategic solutions that can be realistically implemented.
Who is Strategic Management and Innovation intended for?
Kursus on suunatud MBA-taseme õppuritele – kogenud juhtidele ja spetsialistidele, kellel on praktiline juhtimis- või otsustuskogemus. Kursus sobib neile, kes vastutavad strateegiliste valikute, innovatsiooni või organisatsiooniliste muutuste eest ning soovivad süvendada oma võimet mõtestada keerukust ja kujundada elluviidavaid strateegiaid. Eriti väärtuslik on kursus õppuritele, kes soovivad siduda akadeemilised raamistikud oma juhtimispraktika ja reaalse organisatsioonilise kontekstiga.
Explore the course
The course runs from late August to October 2026 and is delivered together with EBS MBA students. Each session takes place from 10:00 to 17:15, including a 45-minute break, and is followed by a period of independent study for reflection and preparation.
We value in-person learning and peer interaction, so all sessions are held on campus.
Topics Covered
Why is it important?
Understanding how organisations create value is the foundation for meaningful strategic choices.
What happens in class?
We explore the foundations of strategic management, the strategy process, and the role of business models and innovation in shaping strategy.
Why is it important?
Sound strategy requires systematic analysis of both the external environment and internal capabilities.
What happens in class?
Participants apply tools for analysing the external environment and internal capabilities and develop strategic scenarios.
Why is it important?
Innovative strategies emerge when leaders challenge conventional thinking and explore new possibilities.
What happens in class?
Creative exercises support divergent thinking and its application within the strategy process.
Why is it important?
Clear ambition and priorities help keep strategy focused and coherent.
What happens in class?
Participants define ambition, set goals, and make deliberate strategic choices, including decisions on what not to pursue.
Why is it important?
Strategy creates value only when it can be effectively executed.
What happens in class?
We translate strategy into measurable goals, tasks, and responsibilities while testing key strategic assumptions.
Why is it important?
Executing strategy requires managing change across different organisational levels.
What happens in class?
We examine change management, strategy evaluation, and the differences between planned and emergent strategies.
Why is it important?
Clear communication strengthens strategic impact and organisational alignment.
What happens in class?
Participants present their innovative strategies and reflect on key learnings from the course.
Entry requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- At least 3 years of work experience in business or entrepreneurship
- Valid temporary residence permit or EU citizenship.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course the student:
1. Practices the tools for analysing industry trends to identify the most critical externalities that have impact on strategic position of their organisation.
2. Reflects on the internal capabilities of their organization - skills, competencies, resources, partnerships that they have in their use.
3. Develops skills to develop scenarios and generate divergent innovative business ideas to select converging and actionable strategies.
4. Develops skills to select "wheat from the chaff" in the context of strategic complexity and to use decision aids to select the most appropriate strategic moves.
5. Develops strategy execution plan by breaking the strategy into goals and tasks, identifying the potential roadblocks for strategy implementation and change management.
6. Presents the strategy components publicly.
Course completion requirements
To successfully complete the course and receive a certificate, participants must actively participate in sessions, complete independent assignments.
Assesment criteria
Assessment is based on three quizzes, three cumulative assignments, and a final presentation. Throughout the course, participants progressively develop a strategy for a real organisation, culminating in a video-based final presentation and a one-page strategy document.
Learning Enviroment
The course takes place at EBS’s modern campus in Tallinn, Lauteri 3. Students have access to ergonomic classrooms, the EBS library, and the cloud-based Canvas learning platform. The study process is supported by online tools such as Zoom, MS Teams, or Canvas Conference. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. On-site attendance is required.
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