The principles of this module relate to how students develop a critical reflection on the way entrepreneurship as related to SMEs is understood, managed and practiced, and facilitated in society. Three main themes—guided by a set of entrepreneurship and enterprise principles applicable at the individual, firm and society level—form the main foci for learning on this module. More specifically, the module design makes use of theories, paradoxes and new evidence on how entrepreneurship is practiced in various forms of SMEs to produce a critical examination of the changing business conditions, operational practices, and recent trends in SME survival, scaling up, performance and growth. Part of the discussion includes how SMEs form part of the local, regional and national entrepreneurial ecosystems as well the main policies in place to ensure SMEs can integrate these networks/ecosystems and benefit from the ongoing transformations they go through. The module makes specific reference to examples of managing family businesses, digital enterprises and the reality of being self-employed. Although the focus of the module is on Western economies, examples from other societies will also be discussed in the seminars where relevant and necessary.
Our approach to learning in this module is a collective one and is highly relevant given the economic and social contribution SMEs make and the challenges SME managers face in today’s working context. The module will help students to develop skills pertinent to labour markets and importantly, help develop knowledge and support students to generate ideas for starting and developing sustainable forms of enterprise. Students are expected to be analytical and critical during their studies on this module. They should be prepared to work in a collaborative way, looking to solve problems, working ethically and responsibly and overall, learning to enjoy their education through applying theory to real life examples.