General Information
Promotional Video
Unavailable
Instructor Bio
Walid Hejazi is a Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy at the Rotman School of Management, Fellow of the Michael Lee-Chin Family Institute for Corporate Citizenship, and member of the Board of Directors of the David & Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation. His research focuses on the development of strategies which enhance the ability of companies to compete in domestic and global marketplaces. He has worked closely with many companies to develop and implement innovative strategies, with a particular focus on the role of leaders in preparing those companies to lead strategic change. Walid has also worked extensively with Canadian and foreign governments on the development of policies around foreign investment and international trade and has testified extensively before parliamentary and senate committees. He teaches in Rotman’s MBA, EMBA and custom executive programs, and has delivered lectures in over 30 countries, and is a frequent commentator in the media.
Target Audience
This ISP is designed for MBA students who are interested in the intersection of innovation, economic development, and strategic policy. It is particularly well-suited for students aspiring to work in innovation ecosystems, including incubators, accelerators, venture capital firms, and potentially government innovation agencies. It also includes those seeking to understand how public policy and business strategy intersect in emerging technology sectors, and how apply FDI strategy or cluster theory in a real-world, project-based setting.
Format
Virtual check-ins will be scheduled by students and the instructor between September 15th and December 5th.
Course Mission
| Skill, Competency, or Learning Outcome | Evidence Used to Assess The Outcome |
|---|---|
| Apply Cluster Theory and FDI Strategy: Analyze the structure and dynamics of the Hardtech ecosystem using frameworks from learning in their courses. | Ecosystem Report and Business Case demonstrating application of theoretical models. |
| Develop Policy-Oriented Business Cases: Integrate public policy analysis with strategic business thinking to craft a compelling case for government and investor engagement. | Business Case document outlining rationale, stakeholder strategy, and policy recommendations. |
| Conduct Ecosystem Mapping: Identify and evaluate key stakeholders, institutions, and capabilities within the Canadian and global Hardtech landscape. | Ecosystem Report with stakeholder analysis and ecosystem structure. |
| Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Design and implement strategies for engaging with public and private sector actors in support of cluster development. | Impact Report summarizing engagement activities and outcomes. |
| Enhance Research and Communication Skills: Produce professional-grade reports and presentations that synthesize complex information for diverse audiences. | Quality and clarity of all submitted reports and presentations. |
Evaluation and Grade Breakdown
| Component | Due Date | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem Report | October 15, 2025 | 25% |
| Business Case | October 31, 2025 | 25% |
| Impact Report | December 18, 2025 | 50% |
Required Resources
No textbook required.
Experiential Course Limit
There are limits to the number of RSM27XX range courses that students may take for credit toward their degree. Please refer to the Global and Experiential Course Eligibility Specifics and Limits section on the RO website for all details.