The Case

Ericsson and the Boston University School of Management have teamed up to bring a particularly challenging case to these bright competitors from around the world. Sixteen teams have traveled to Boston for this weekend to compete, some coming from as far as Seoul or Stockholm.

The case challenges participants to examine the potential role a Networked Society could play in innovating education. Ericsson hopes to build a society where anything that could benefit from being connected would be connected, mainly via mobile broadband. Its mission is “innovating to empower people, business and society.”

Teams must present:

• Their vision of a Networked Society in education in 2015 that leverages the power and potential of mobility, broadband and cloud
• What partnerships and alliances should Ericsson explore to make this strategy succeed?

And they must address specifics such as:

• A video or animation to communicate ideas and insights
• A recommended business model (products, services and/or solutions) for Ericsson in the education sector
• How should Ericsson developing a profitable strategy in the education sector?

The teams had 24 hours to prepare their cases and it will be very exciting to hear their innovative ideas.

The full Case can be viewed here.

Professor Venkatraman wrote the case taking into consideration recent technological innovations in education, such as iTunes U or interactive whiteboards, and how they were changing the landscape of learning. He understood that while Ericsson is very involved in education through philanthropy, there is an opportunity for business innovation as well.