Module 4 Case
Disruptive Innovation
Assignment Overview
As a focal example for this module, we will consider the case of a disruptive innovation that is roaring down on society at nearly the speed of light, despite common acknowledgment that we really do not know what its effects will be. This is so-called automated driving or driverless vehicles. There is no question that within the next 5 to 10 years, the bulk of vehicles on the roads will switch from being directly human controlled to being largely robotically controlled, with only sporadic if any human intervention. For all of human history, transportation has required the direct involvement of a human being, whether that be the driver of an oxcart or the driver of a Mercedes 18-wheeler. Management of vehicles has been one of the central preoccupations of humans for at least the last 100 years. Giant industries are based on this technological framework. The introduction of robotically controlled vehicles promises to disrupt these giant industries in critical ways, even eliminating some of them entirely and reshaping others to be almost unrecognizable.
How will society deal with these issues? What will survive this disruptive transition, and what will not? What will our society look like when it is completely transformed by this virtually inevitable technology? Who will the winners and losers be? Any look at disruptive innovation always generates more questions than answers, but by examining those questions we may begin to formulate better ones and eventually arrive at a more complete understanding. If we do not, then we will be simply whipsawed by our own technologies whose underlying values may be significantly different from those we would like to see our society enact.
Case Assignment
After reading the required background material and finding at least two other resources on your own, write a 5- to 7-page paper discussing the topic:
Self-driving vehicles as a disruptive technology
You should begin your paper by summarizing what is currently known about disruptive innovations and their effects. Then provide a brief description of the self-driving vehicle technology and where it currently stands today. You should then proceed to address the questions posed in the case discussion above: namely, how will society deal with these issues? What will survive this disruptive transition, and what will not? What will our society look like when it is completely transformed by this virtually inevitable technology? Who will the winners and losers be? Conclude your paper with a couple of paragraphs summarizing your views on self-driving vehicles in particular, and how society and organizations might to deal more effectively and productively with disruptive technologies generally.
Assignment Expectations
Length: The written component of this assignment should be 5-7 pages long (double-spaced) without counting the cover page and reference page.
Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.
Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity. We encourage you to use tools such as grammarly.com and proofread your paper before submission.
As you complete your assignment, make sure you do the following:
Answer the assignment questions directly.
Stay focused on the precise assignment questions. Do not go off on tangents or devote a lot of space to summarizing general background materials.
Use evidence from your readings to justify your conclusions.
Cite at least five credible resources.
Reference your sources of information with both a bibliography and in-text citations. See the Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper, including pages 11-14 on in-text citations. Another resource is the Writing Style Guide, which is found under My Resources in the TLC Portal.
Your assignment will be graded using the following criteria:
Assignment-driven Criteria: Student demonstrates mastery covering all key elements of the assignment.
Critical Thinking/Application to Professional Practice: Student demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem, and analyzing information. Conclusions are logically presented and applied to professional practice in an exceptional manner.
Business Writing and Quality of References: Student demonstrates mastery and proficiency in written communication and use of appropriate and relevant literature at the doctoral level.
Citing Sources: Student demonstrates mastery applying APA formatting standards to both in text citations and the reference list.
Professionalism and Timeliness: Assignments are submitted on time.
Module 4 Background
Disruptive Innovation
Video material
http://www.ted.com/talks/sebastian_thrun_google_s_
Required Reading
Litman, T. (2017) Autonomous Vehicle Implementation Predictions: Implications for Transport Planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Retrieved on October 21, 2017, from http://leempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/M09.p
King, A. A. & Baatartogtokh, B. (2015) How Useful Is the Theory of Disruptive Innovation? MIT Sloan Management Review. Fall. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/60e8/86aed65be4c6
Allen, M. (2015) Disruptive Innovation and the Impact of Fully Autonomous Vehicles on the Auto Insurance Industry. Kalamazoo College. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from https://cache.kzoo.edu/bitstream/handle/10920/3040
Nagy, D., Schuessler, J. & Dubinsky, A. (2015) Defining and identifying disruptive innovations. Industrial Marketing Management. Retrieved October 21, 2017, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph_Schues
