Module manager: Dr. Krsto Pandza
Email: kp@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module aims to give students grounding in both theoretical and practical elements of entrepreneurship. The module introduces students to a variety of views on entrepreneurship, offering them a critical introduction into commonly held views of entrepreneurship based on innate personal characteristics. It then moves students' understanding towards a more process view of entrepreneurship, which sees entrepreneurship as an activity-in-context, opening up the possibility of developing entrepreneurship behaviours or processes among students. Real-life historical cases will be incorporated throughout the theoretical sessions in order to ground the theory in practical examples and time will be given to students to discuss these cases in groups. The module also takes innovative entrepreneurship or new business models as the focus of attention, through incorporating a technology entrepreneurship element. This is an attempt to move away from common approaches towards entrepreneurship education which focus on life-style businesses where the owner-managers often have no inclination to grow or develop their business. We argue that understanding this complex, dynamic form of entrepreneurship, will not only offer a more challenging task for students but the understandings developed may to be applied in other simpler models of entrepreneurship including life-style businesses. Successful entrepreneurs within relevant technology fields will also be brought in to speak to students about their ventures. Avenues for venture funding will also be investigated throughout the module. Finally, the module will incorporate an away-day where students discuss with scientists potential opportunities to get involved with innovatory projects and apply their new entrepreneurial skills towards for example bringing a new product to market.
- This module aims to give students grounding in both theoretical and practical elements of entrepreneurship
- It introduces students to a variety of views on entrepreneurship, offering them a critical introduction into commonly held views of entrepreneurship based on innate personal characteristics and then moves students' understanding towards entrepreneurship as an activity-in-context.
- Students' theoretical understanding will then be grounded in practical examples through real-life historical case studies and time will be given to students to discuss these cases in groups and complete an assignment in class.
- Students will also focus on innovative entrepreneurship or new business model throughout the module, through incorporating a technology entrepreneurship element. We argue that understanding this complex, dynamic form of entrepreneurship, will not only offer a more challenging task for students but the understandings developed may to be applied in other simpler models of entrepreneurship
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
(i) demonstrate an understanding of alternative theories of entrepreneurship and innovation
(ii) demonstrate an understanding of how entrepreneurship works in action with reference to both historical cases and also through talking to 'real-life' entrepreneurs
(iii) Have an in-depth understanding of the complexity surrounding new business models and bringing new technology to market
(iv) Have knowledge of the various sources of funding available to fund new businesses including both governmental sources and private venture capitalist companies
On completion of this module student will have developed the ability to
Identify funding opportunities
Evaluate enterprise opportunities
Act in an entrepreneurial manner
Lead a new venture
UNIT 1 - Entrepreneurship in Action - This unit is designed to introduce students to successful entrepreneurs and understand how entrepreneurship works in action. Speakers will be invited from technology-based sectors such as those who have developed new business models on the internet or science based projects.
UNIT 2 - Theories of Entrepreneurship: The end of the heroic entrepreneur - This unit introduces students to commonly held views of entrepreneurship. Firstly it questions students own definitions of entrepreneurship, and the confusions surrounding the term. It then critiques views which focus on the entrepreneur as a 'heroic' individual, including the trait view, psychodynamic view and some cognitive approaches, backed up from historical case studies.
UNIT 3 - Theories of Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship as Process: This unit follows on from the previous unit on theories of entrepreneurship and develops a more process understanding of entrepreneurial activity. Students will be presented with a number of views which see entrepreneurship as an activity-in-context.
UNIT 4 - Funding for Entrepreneurial Ventures - This unit explores avenues for new venture funding. This will include some Business School academics that have expertise in this area and also outside organisations who offer capital to new ventures
UNIT 5 - Leadership - given that our focus is new business models which while beginning small often have the potential to become large companies we incorporate a leadership element into the module. This will focus on topics such as corporate governance which will be delivered by Business School academics and once again grounded in real cases.
UNIT 6 - Technology Entrepreneurship - Entrepreneurship is seen as a successful model for bringing new technologies to market. This element of the module will focus on issues such as Tech strategy, scanning the environment and NPD
UNIT 7 - Project Away Day - this day will involve scientists from the university and potentially some practitioners to come and spend a day with the MBA students and discuss some innovatory projects that students may get involved in and apply their new entrepreneurial skills.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 3 | 8 | 24 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 70 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
20 hours post lecture reading,
50 hours research and report writing for assessment
3 class assignments to be completed in groups
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual - 3,000 words (3,000 word individual assignment based on student's ability to understandand and relate theories & practices of E&I to their group project & their current or past employing organisation.) | 50 |
| Group Project | 1,500 words (Group project to start up and develop a virtual business. Project will aseesed by the quality of the project's business ideas and business and resource planning.) | 25 |
| Oral Presentation | Group Presentation 15 minutes (The presentation (with powerpoint slides) will be assessed on the basis of each student's role in and contribution to their own group project.) | 25 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
3,000 word individual assignment based on student's ability to understandand and relate theories & practices of E&I to their group project & their current or past employing organisation. Group project to start up and develop a virtual business. Project will aseesed by the quality of the project's business ideas and business and resource planning. The presentation (with powerpoint slides) will be assessed on the basis of each student's role in and contribution to their own group project.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 5/19/2015
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team