BUA 352 MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM

BUA 352 MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM QUESTIONS (TWO pages each)

1. In Chapters 8 and 9 of his Mapping Innovation book, Greg Satell describes the strategies to access three ecosystems and build collaboration for more innovations. Most of his examples are from U.S. based companies (IBM, Google); Satell is concerned that a new digital era of innovation requires organizations to leverage platforms to solve more complex problems, but there are several “headwinds” to contend with. Briefly describe how Satell recommends that companies anywhere can develop a more effective model of new integrated innovations. Please cite any references for examples of how real companies are trying to be innovative.

2. Rebecca Fannin, Asian Startups with POSITIVE GOVERNMENT POLICIES, Ecosystems

In her book on Startup Asia and blogs, Rebecca Fannin describes the growth of entrepreneurship and technology ventures in several Asian countries. While larger Asian nations like China and India have economic advantages to build upon, new startups have also emerged in smaller nations like Vietnam and Singapore. Many of these new startup firms have been based on copies or models from Silicon Valley in the U.S.; but the business ideas and government policies can also be copied by other countries, trying to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation within local markets.

Fannin’s review of the positive policies for new startups include government or private venture capital funding, incubators to protect new firms, and ecosystems designed to connect firms to venture capital investors or university programs. These policy programs can also be focused on specialized hot spots like energy, clean environment, food production, or mobile communications.

Your second question is to write a brief 2-page review of recent government policies that were created or intended to support new ventures in a specific country. There are more policy examples discussed for Singapore or Vietnam; but similar policies should be evident and feasible in non-Asian nations like Saudi Arabia or Russia. For example, the Vision 2030 program discusses several pillars to change and diversify the Saudi economy from only oil exploration; Startups House (seelab.sa.com) or King Saud University ( www.ksu.edu.sa )also apply. You should be able to find specific policies or other relevant information online in key word computer searches.

Your answer should be brief, typed, and focused in a 2 page summary, citing any references and sources that you use or “quote” from in your own report. DUE IN CLASS, March 12th.