Master of Management in Strategy and Innovation Management (S.I.M.)

Strategy and Innovation Management (S.I.M.) is one of the three specializations tracks under the Master of Management, which is an international one-year master's program (in English) that prepares students for a career in dynamic, international business environments.

The program focuses on confronting students with challenging strategic business problems to familiarize them with all major aspects of a business. The program is tailored to bachelor and master graduates who aim to widen their scope of international management as well as to deepen their knowledge of and capabilities in Data Science (D.S.), Strategy and Innovation Management (S.I.M.) or International Marketing Strategy (I.M.S.) - three specialization tracks of the program.

The program does not only apply to (business) economics students but also to university graduates in non-economic subject areas, such as engineers, lawyers, psychologists, etc.

The Master of Management program aims to develop the following competencies:

• The graduate of the Master of Management is capable of identifying and deconstructing complex business problems, stemming from both an organizational and a strategic origin.
• The graduate is capable of evaluating, selecting, and applying suitable methodologies, tools, and techniques to analyze complex business problems in order to make hands-on, high-quality recommendations to improve both tactical and strategic decisions.
• The graduate is capable of defending suitable, high-quality business strategy options on the basis of their implications.
• The graduate is capable of translating strategic decisions into lower-level goals and key performance indicators.
• The graduate is capable of working in a multinational and interdisciplinary context, with an attitude that reflects the following elements: critical reflection, constructive arguing, professional communication, efficient collaboration, effective self-management, ethical behavior, and sustainability.

Strategy and Innovation Management (S.I.M.)

The specialization Strategy and Innovation Management (S.I.M.) prepares graduates to, not only, respond to the current, rapidly changing business environment, but also to capture innovation opportunities and be the driving force behind change. Complementary to a general perspective on strategy and innovation management, this specialization offers in-depth knowledge on (open) innovation, innovation ecosystems, business model innovation, strategic innovation, change management, and (corporate) entrepreneurship. This specialization offers a broad set of analytical tools and teaching approaches: besides lecturing, instructors make use of teaching cases, guest lectures, videos, simulation games, experiential learning techniques, and analysis of recent online articles to apply the lessons learned to real-world situations, industries, and organizations.

Why study in Hasselt?

Hasselt is known for its hospitality, making international students feel right at home.

• Located in the heart of the EU-region
• Ranked 47th best university under 50 years
• 15% international students from 75 different countries
• 550 Ph.D. students

• The holder of the degree applies acquired knowledge independently. (Self-direction and entrepreneurial spirit)
• The holder of the degree shows initiative and takes responsibility in order to help create value for an organization. (Self-direction and entrepreneurial spirit)
• The holder of the degree actively monitors developments in business science and business practice. (Self-direction and entrepreneurial spirit)
• The holder of the degree works in a diverse team and displays leadership skills with a view to a multidisciplinary approach to management problems. (Teamwork)
• The holder of the degree communicates clearly and correctly in writing and orally, in a business and academic context, if necessary supplemented with visual support. (Communication)
• The holder of the degree shows autonomy in conducting a literature review. (Research skills)
• The holder of the degree shows autonomy in drawing up a research plan. (Research skills)
• The holder of the degree shows autonomy in implementing scientific research methods. (Research skills)
• The holder of the degree shows autonomy in analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and reporting research results. (Research skills)
• The holder of the degree integrates the perspective of stakeholders when making decisions in an organizational context. (Stakeholder awareness)
• The holder of the degree formulates proposals for the improvement of business processes in an international context. (Stakeholder awareness)
• The holder of the degree reflects on the conduct of business from an ethical and sustainability perspective. (Stakeholder awareness)
• The holder of the degree is able to address complex management issues from a strategic and conceptual perspective by adapting and applying management paradigms in general, and in particular paradigms from their specialization. (Problem-solving capacity)
• The holder of the degree is able to substantiate the strategic policy choices of an organization in an evidence-based way by applying management theories in general, and in particular theories from their specialization. (Problem-solving abilities)
• The holder of the degree is able to formulate strategic solutions to create organizational value in an international context. (Program-specific competencies)
• The holder of the degree is able to make optimal use of cultural and disciplinary heterogeneity in work teams. (Program-specific competencies)

Our approach to teaching

We want to create a powerful and activating educational learning environment with a range of interactive teaching methods. Work sessions, which are organized interactively and in smaller groups, help you process the study material. You are not alone during your journey. Student-faculty interactions are a cornerstone of the educational concept of Hasselt University. The teachers and assistants are always ready to help you with both substantive, subject-related questions and with other questions that may promote your study success. The threshold between students and faculty is kept low, inside and outside courses.

Core Courses

• Business Modelling
• Leadership and Human Capital
• Applications in Business Modelling

Specialisation Courses: Strategy and Innovation Management

• Managing Digital Transformation
• Business Strategy
• Open Innovation in Business and Research
• Strategic Innovation
• Change Management
• Master’s dissertation Master of Management

The university decree for Flanders is built around a credit point system that is based on the principles of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

Each year of a full-time degree program counts 60 ECTS. Ideally, these credits are equally spread over two semesters: 30 ECTS per semester. One credit represents a study load of 25 to 30 hours. This includes time spent in class, personal work, and exams.