Volker Hoffmann: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2017 |  |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann |
| Field | Sustainability and Technology |
| Address | Nachhaltigkeit und Technol. D-MTEC ETH Zürich, WEV J 412 Weinbergstr. 56/58 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 05 40 |
| Fax | +41 44 632 10 45 |
| vhoffmann@ethz.ch | |
| Department | Management, Technology, and Economics |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151-0906-00L | Frontiers in Energy Research This course is only for doctoral students. | 2 credits | 2S | D. Poulikakos, R. Boes, V. Hoffmann, G. Hug, M. Mazzotti, A. Patt, A. Schlüter | |
| Abstract | PhD students at ETH Zurich working in the broad area of energy present their research to their colleagues, to their advisors and to the scientific community. | ||||
| Learning objective | Knowledge of advanced research in the area of energy. | ||||
| Content | PhD students at ETH Zurich working in the broad area of energy present their research to their colleagues, to their advisors and to the scientific community. Every week there are two presentations, each structured as follows: 15 min introduction to the research topic, 15 min presentation of the results, 15 min discussion with the audience. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Slides will be distributed. | ||||
| 351-0778-00L | Discovering Management Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01. | 3 credits | 3G | B. Clarysse, M. Ambühl, S. Brusoni, E. Fleisch, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, T. Netland, G. von Krogh, F. von Wangenheim | |
| Abstract | Discovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. The module provides an overview of the principles of management, teaches knowledge about management that is highly complementary to the students' technical knowledge, and provides a basis for advancing the knowledge of the various subjects offered at D-MTEC. | ||||
| Learning objective | Discovering Management combines in an innovate format a set of lectures and an advanced business game. The learning model for Discovering Management involves 'learning by doing'. The objective is to introduce the students to the relevant topics of the management literature and give them a good introduction in entrepreneurship topics too. The course is a series of lectures on the topics of strategy, innovation, corporate finance, leadership, design thinking and corporate social responsibility. While the 14 different lectures provide the theoretical and conceptual foundations, the experiential learning outcomes result from the interactive business game. The purpose of the business game is to analyse the innovative needs of a large multinational company and develop a business case for the company to grow. This business case is as relevant to someone exploring innovation within an organisation as it is if you are planning to start your own business. By discovering the key aspects of entrepreneurial management, the purpose of the course is to advance students' understanding of factors driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and company success. | ||||
| Content | Discovering Management aims to broaden the students' understanding of the principles of business management, emphasizing the interdependence of various topics in the development and management of a firm. The lectures introduce students not only to topics relevant for managing large corporations, but also touch upon the different aspects of starting up your own venture. The lectures will be presented by the respective area specialists at D-MTEC. The course broadens the view and understanding of technology by linking it with its commercial applications and with society. The lectures are designed to introduce students to topics related to strategy, corporate innovation, leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial finance, value chain analysis, corporate social responsibility, and business model innovation. Practical examples from industry experts will stimulate the students to critically assess these issues. Creative skills will be trained by the business game exercise, a participant-centered learning activity, which provides students with the opportunity to place themselves in the role of Chief Innovation Officer of a large multinational company. As they learn more about the specific case and identify the challenge they are faced with, the students will have to develop an innovative business case for this multinational corporation. Doing so, this exercise will provide an insight into the context of managerial problem-solving and corporate innovation, and enhance the students' appreciation for the complex tasks companies and managers deal with. The business game presents a realistic model of a company and provides a valuable learning platform to integrate the increasingly important development of the skills and competences required to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, analyse the future business environment and successfully respond to it by taking systematic decisions, e.g. critical assessment of technological possibilities. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Discovering Management is designed to suit the needs and expectations of Bachelor students at all levels as well as Master and PhD students not belonging to D-MTEC. By providing an overview of Business Management, this course is an ideal enrichment of the standard curriculum at ETH Zurich. No prior knowledge of business or economics is required to successfully complete this course. | ||||
| 363-0387-00L | Corporate Sustainability | 3 credits | 2G | V. Hoffmann | |
| Abstract | The lecture explores current challenges of corporate sustainability and prepares students to become champions for sustainable business practices. In the beginning, traditional lectures are complemented by e-modules that allow students to train critical thinking skills. In the 2nd half of the semester, students work in teams on sustainability challenges related to water, energy, mobility, and food. | ||||
| Learning objective | Students - assess the limits and the potential of corporate sustainability for sustainable development - develop critical thinking skills (argumentation, communication, evaluative judgment) that are useful in the context of corporate sustainability using an innovative writing and peer review method. - recognize and realize opportunities through team work for corporate sustainability in a business environment - present strategic recommendations in teams with different output formats (tv-style debate, consultancy pitch, technology model walk-through, campaign video) | ||||
| Content | In the first part of the semester, Prof. Volker Hoffmann will share his insights on corporate sustainability with you through a series of lectures. They introduce you to a series of critical thinking exercises and build a foundation for your group work. In the second part of the semester, you participate in one of four tracks in which SusTec researchers will coach your groups through a seven-step program. Our ambition is that you improve your analytic and organizational skills and that you can confidently stand up for corporate sustainability in a professional setting. You will share the final product of your work with fellow students in a final puzzle session at the end of the semester. http://www.sustec.ethz.ch/teaching/lectures/corporate-sustainability.html | ||||
| Lecture notes | Presentation slides will be made available on moodle prior to lectures. | ||||
| Literature | Literature recommendations will be distributed during the lecture | ||||
| 363-0511-00L | Managerial Economics Not for MSc students belonging to D-MTEC! | 4 credits | 3V | S. Rausch, V. Hoffmann | |
| Abstract | Managerial Economics applies economic theory and methods to business and economic decision-making. Economic ideas related to optimization, the theory of consumer demand, the theory of the firm, industrial organization and decision making under uncertainty are studied using methods of numerical analysis, statistical estimation, game theory and constrained optimization. | ||||
| Learning objective | The objective of the course is to provide undergraduate and graduate students in MAVT with an understanding of the use of economic concepts for firm-level management decisions. The course covers a number of models and methods of analysis which are commonly employed in business decisions. The course covers the economic theory of choice, models of oligopoly and industrial organization, applications of game theory to contract design and agency theory, and the theory of decision making under uncertainty focusing specifically on long-term investment decisions. The course will include three lectures by Professor Volker Hoffman focusing on related case-studies in management. | ||||
| Literature | Mikroökonomie (Pearson Studium - Economic VWL) Gebundene Ausgabe, August 2013, Robert S. Pindyck, Dr. Daniel L. Rubinfeld. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course acquaints students who have previous not studied economics to economic concepts and quantitative methods which can be used to solve management decision problems. | ||||
| 363-1028-00L | Entrepreneurial Leadership  Limited number of participants. Students apply for this course via the official website (https://www.mtec.ethz.ch/studies/special-programmes/els.html) Once your application is confirmed, registration in myStudies is possible. | 4 credits | 3S | C. P. Siegenthaler, P. Baschera, S. Brusoni, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, T. Netland, G. von Krogh | |
| Abstract | This seminar provides master students at MTEC with the challenging opportunity of a real case on strategy, innovation and leadership in close collaboration with the top management of leading Swiss technology company. | ||||
| Learning objective | In your team, you will work on a specific assignment that flows from the current strategic agenda of the board. While gaining substantial insights into the structure, dynamics and challenges of the industry, you immerse into the business model and strategic landscape of the corporate partner. You visit their headquarter, conduct interviews with members of the management team as well as internal and external experts before you discuss your ideas with top executives. To secure impact, it is key that you formulate your recommendations from a deep understanding of the authentic leadership culture of the corporate partner. | ||||
| Content | In this endeavour you are coached and supported by - Gudela Grote, Chair of Work and Organizational Psychology - Stefano Brusoni, Chair of Technology and Innovation Management - Claude Siegenthaler, Business School Lausanne / The St.Gallen MBA - Georg von Krogh, Chair of Strategic Management and Innovation - Torbjörn Netland, Chair of Production and Operations Management - Volker Hoffmann, Chair of Technology and Sustainability - Pius Baschera, former Chair of Entrepreneurship | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Please apply for this course via the official website (www.mtec.ethz.ch). Apply no later than August 27. The number of participants is limited to 18. ECTS: 4 Participants receive a certificate | ||||