The ICT Market and Policies course provides a comprehensive perspective on the Information Technology sector from both a competitive and regulatory standpoint within the European framework. It offers a detailed characterization of the sector, enabling students to analyze this market on an ongoing basis.
Key Objectives
Furthermore, it provides students with an overview of the main ICT trends by introducing the sources of key industry indicators. Criteria are also provided for using these indicators as a strategic tool for differentiated value contribution, helping the ICT department position itself as a valuable agent for the organization's competitive positioning.
Core Competencies
- Regulatory Perspective: Understanding the European regulatory framework governing ICT.
- Data Analysis: Identifying and utilizing key sector indicators and trends.
- Strategic Positioning: Empowering the IT area to act as a driver for organizational competitiveness.
The subject ICT Market and Policies, provides a perspective on the Information Technology sector at a competitive and regulatory level at a European level, providing a characterization of the sector that will allow a continuous analysis of this market. In addition, it provides the student with a vision of the main ICT trends, showing the sources of the main indicators and the criteria to know how to incorporate them into the organization, at a given moment, as a key to the contribution of value in a differentiated way, helping the ICT area to position itself as a valuable agent for the competitive positioning of the organization.
No specific prior knowledge is necessary.
The specific objectives of the course are:
- To be able to analyze trends within the ICT sector.
- To identify the microeconomic and macroeconomic indicators that govern the ICT sector, as well as specific indicators that measure the development of various technologies.
- To gain knowledge of the models representing market behavior and equilibrium.
- To understand the innovation process within companies in the ICT sector.
- To know the most relevant organizational aspects for innovation in the ICT sector.
- To understand National Innovation Systems and know the existing indicators to measure the development of the ICT sector and innovation in different countries.
- To apply current ICT regulations within the knowledge society.
- To know the basic concepts of intellectual property affecting the ICT sector
- To understand the effects of ICT on society and develop solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders.
The topics studied in this course are as follows
- Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
- ICT Market and Trends
- The ICT Sector and Innovation
- ICT Policies and National Innovation Systems
- ICT Sector Regulation and Intellectual Property in the ICT Sector
- Social Impact of ICT
In-Person Modality
Prior to the start of class, students must read, watch, or listen to the academic material recommended by the professor, as well as solve any assigned practical cases or exercises. During the sessions, the professor will present a specific topic, supported by audiovisual materials, videos, articles, etc. At the end of each session, students may be asked to complete an individual task to be submitted before the next session. In the final session, students must present, in groups, a New Product or Service Proposal for launch in one or several countries. This proposal must incorporate information on all topics covered throughout the course.
Online Modality
The teaching methodology used in the online modality is based on a proprietary methodology developed by La Salle URL called SDBL (Self-Directed Based Learning). SDBL is an active methodology based on situational learning and self-directed learning.
- Situational Learning: Students are taught through challenges to address real business problems and situations, allowing them to consolidate the new knowledge acquired.
- Self-Directed Learning: Students decide how to progress through the training based on their previous experience.
Every week, the LMS (Learning Management System) platform releases the content for a new topic. The weekly workflow is as follows:
Synchronous Kick-off Session
- The professor provides an overview of the content and tasks the student will encounter throughout the week. The goal of this meeting is to personally discover and reveal which aspects of the week's topics might be most difficult for the student individually.
- The professor addresses any potential doubts students may have regarding the previous week's topic.
Between Synchronous Connections
- Students view the session content and develop the assigned tasks for the week’s topic to consolidate knowledge and identify questions.
Synchronous Check-point Session
- The professor resolves doubts that students may have regarding the current week’s content.
- The professor presents additional content or practical cases that are of interest to the students.
- The professor facilitates debate and discussion among students regarding the current week's content to assist in assimilation and improve learning.
- The professor provides oral feedback on the deliverables submitted by students in the previous week's "feedback pit," emphasizing the difficulties and errors encountered.
Note on Feedback Pits: This instance is solely for feedback and not for grading. They are an instrument for students to validate the resolution of assigned tasks with their mentor in broad terms. Based on the feedback provided, students can finish developing the task and submit it as a final deliverable with the advantage of having had prior guidance.
Rest of the Week
The goal is to finalize the development of the current week's tasks based on the clarifications received during the check-point session. Most of the time dedicated to this phase should be spent solving tasks and deliverables rather than assimilating content (which should have been resolved between the kick-off and check-point sessions).
The LMS platform performs a gradual release of content (week by week) so that the entire group follows the same academic itinerary and all students work on the same subjects simultaneously.
IN-PERSON MODALITY
The evaluation of the course is based on the student's individual performance and the grade obtained for group work, according to the following distribution:
- Final Exam (Quiz): 50%. The student must obtain a minimum grade of 5/10 for the final grade to be calculated using the indicated weighting.
- Final Project (including presentation): 50%. The student must obtain a minimum grade of 5/10 for the final grade to be calculated using the indicated weighting.
Additionally, students must submit all individual tasks to be eligible for the final exam. Otherwise, the grade will be N/P (Non-Attendance/Not Submitted).
In the event that a student fails the final exam, the final project, or does not participate in the final presentation, they may complete a re-evaluation activity defined by the professors on a case-by-case basis (exam or project and presentation). If the student passes the re-evaluation activity, the final grade for the course will be 5.
ONLINE MODALITY
- 3 Individual Submissions: Each accounts for 20% of the final grade.
- 1 Group Project: The grade for this project accounts for 40% of the final grade.
Session Deliverables
Each student must upload the following to the submission box no later than the specified deadline:
- Launch of a new ICT product/service in a foreign market.
- Proposal for a new ICT product or service.
- SusAF – ChatGPT Questions.
Final Evaluation
Students will work in groups to solve an exercise assigned by the professor. This exercise will be defended by each group during the evaluation weeks.
The professor will publish the grades on eStudy. For inquiries regarding grades, students may contact the professor directly via email.
On-site Modality:
In the completion of exercises and coursework, the following assessment criteria apply:
- Understanding of the given situation
- Definition and analysis of the problems presented in the case
- Recording of key topics: Proposed solutions
- Realism and appropriateness of the proposed solution(s)
- Justification and defense of the solution(s)
- Strengths and benefits of the proposal(s)
- Implications of the proposal(s) (economic and managerial)
Online Modality:
The following list includes the evaluation criteria for the course deliverables:
- Deliverable Topic 1
- Organization: Table of contents, main content, summary, appendices
- Clarity of the document: Presentation of content, figures, tables
- Content: Key points and structure within the content Reliable sources have been consulted
- The report includes the requested data An appropriate analysis has been conducted and presented in a clear and concise manner Bibliography and links to sources consulted
- Deliverable Topic 2
- Organization: Table of contents, main content, summary, appendices
- Clarity of the document: Presentation of content, figures, tables
- Content: Key points and structure within the content Reliable sources have been consulted The report includes the requested data
- An appropriate analysis has been conducted and presented in a clear and concise manner Bibliography and links to sources consulted
- Deliverable Topic 3
- Organization (table of contents, sections, conclusion)
- Clarity of the document: Presentation of content, figures, tables, etc.
- Have you described the original product or service and its target market in sufficient detail? o Have you done a good brainstorming of the selected topics for each dimension? Have you brainstormed the selected topics for each dimension, have you identified sufficient effects, are there positive and negative effects in each dimension, are there positive and negative effects in each dimension, have you identified the likelihood and impact of each dimension? - Have you identified the likelihood and impact of each potential effect? - Have you included one or more SusADs with the main chains of effect and accompanied by a clear and concise text?
- You have identified and explained threats, opportunities and actions (for each threat/opportunity) of the product or service in relation to sustainability.
- A clear and precise conclusion on the use of the framework.
- Final Deliverable
- Organization and Clarity: Table of Contents, Contents, Abstract, Text, Figures, Tables, Annexes.
- Organization and Clarity: Bibliography and/or links consulted.
- Content: The description of the product or service to be implemented.
- The description of the product or service to be implemented. The document analyzes the main micro and macro variables. And considers the analysis of the environment and macro-environment.
- The marketing plan is sufficiently detailed. The report includes a summary of the main financial indicators. The report considers the impact of the solution on sustainability.
- Presentation: Are the visual elements attractive, clear and legible? Was the presentation sufficiently detailed? Did the presenters keep the audience's attention with entertaining communication and answer questions appropriately?
· Ahijado, M. (Coord.). (2019). Introducción a la microeconomía: un enfoque de managerial economics. Ediciones Académicas.
· AMETIC, Barómetro de la Economía Digital 2025, https://ametic.es/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Barometro_Economia_Digital_AMETIC_2025.pdf
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· European Innovation Scoreboard (2025). https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/statistics/performance-indicators/european-innovation-scoreboard_en#european-innovation-scoreboard-2025
· Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2022). AR6 synthesis report: Climate change 2022. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/
· Mazzucato, M. (2018). The entrepreneurial state. Penguin.
· Mazzucato, M. (2018). Mission-Oriented research & Innovation in the European Union. European Union.
· OECD. (2012). OECD environmental outlook to 2050: The consequences of inaction. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/g20/topics/energy-environment-green-growth/oecdenvironmentaloutlookto2050theconsequencesofinaction.htm
· Observatorio Nacional de las Telecomunicaciones y de la Sociedad de la Información (ONTSI). (2024). Sector TIC, los medios y los servicios audiovisuales. Edición 2023 – Datos 2022
· Raworth, Kate. Doughnut Economics. Doughnut Economics Action Lab, https://doughnuteconomics.org/doughnut/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
· Schilling, M. A. (2023). Strategic management of technological innovation (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
· Tidd, J., & Bessant, J., (2020). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change.
· United Nations (UN). (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Naciones Unidas. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
· What is Intellectual Property (2020). World Intellectual Property Organization https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4528
· World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). (1987). Our common future. Oxford University Press.
No additional materials are required