The module aims to help students develop the competences, skills, awareness and mind-set to become effective entrepreneurs. The teaching and learning encompass the different methods of starting up a new venture, e.g. borrowing, causation or bootstrapping, effectuating as well as the general challenges faced at business start-up. The role of entrepreneurial learning and social networking is considered along with the planning and implementation of successful venture creation. Students will examine alternative approaches to business start-up and innovation, as well as business growth, demonstrating an understanding of the risks and challenges associated with them.

(LO1) Identify and analyse the nature and scope of issues and problems involved with respect to managing an entrepreneurial business.

(LO2) Critically reflect on the factors associated with good practices in developing and utilising appropriate entrepreneurial networks to access resources.

(LO3) Understand the various options available in terms of establishing an entrepreneurial organisation.

(LO4) Recognise the imperatives of new technologies and demonstrate how they can form the basis of a sustainable business.

(S1) Adaptability. The module requires students to think seriously about their own skills and knowledge and how these can be utilised to exploit a business opportunity.

(S2) Problem solving skills. Identifying a potential business opportunity requires students to develop appropriate problem solving skills such as resource acquisition.

(S3) Numeracy. Basic numeracy skills will be necessary to calculate the amount of start-up capital and time to break-even.

(S4) Commercial awareness. Students must develop the ability to understand the business environment.

(S5) Teamwork. Students will engage in various exercises such as brainstorming, designed to develop team working skills.

(S6) Organisational skills. Students will develop their organisation skills through co-operating with others and meeting coursework deadlines.

(S7) Communication skills. Oral skills are developed during the seminars and written skills in preparing the coursework.

(S8) IT skills. Students will develop their IT skills in preparing for assessments.

(S9) International awareness. Students are encouraged to think about entrepreneurship in a range of different contexts.

(S10) Lifelong learning skills. The module encourages students to think seriously about learning to learn.

(S11) Ethical awareness. Students will understand the many ethical issues to be considered with respect to managing a business.

2 hour lecture x 5 weeks
2 hour seminar x 5 weeks
1 hour asynchronous learning x 5 weeks
125 hours self-directed learning

SESSION 1: Introduction to entrepreneurship and business creation;

SESSION 2: Learning styles and failure in entrepreneurship;

SESSION 3: Effectuation theory changes how we understand the entrepreneurial process;

SESSION 4: Social identity of entrepreneurs in different societies;

SESSION 5: Risk taking and its association with entrepreneurship;

SESSION 6: Course review and understanding what has been learned.