Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
The purpose of this course is to explore business creation and growth as a
multidimensional phenomenon in both independent and corporate (entrapreneurship)
settings. By linking theory and practice the course aims to provide students an
entrepreneurial perspective and a hands-on experience in the development of new
business ventures.
CONTENT
1. Intro class:
a. The concept of Enterprise: broad an narrow meanings
b. Approaches to the study of entrepreneurship
c. The role of Entrepreneurship in the economy and society
2. The Entrepreneurial culture
a. Influences on entrepreneurship development
b. Support for entrepreneurship development
3. Entrepreneurship and the person
a. The nature, characteristics and behaviour of the entrepreneur
b. Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation
c. Motivation, leadership and team building
4. Getting into business
a. Business ideas vs. opportunities
b. The nature and sequence of business start-up
c. Types of entrepreneurial ventures
5. New venture planning and creation
a. Introduction to the business plan: purpose and format, problems
associated with the business plan
b. Main components of the business plan
6. Market and marketing plan
Course: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
2
a. The importance of the customer
b. Market research for entrepreneurs
c. Marketing for the small business
7. Operations and Human Resources
a. Operations and production planning
b. Human resources planning
8. Financial planning
a. Forecasting inputs and outputs
b. Components of the financial plan
c. Financial tools for small business viability assessment
d. Types of funding
9. Strategic management for new ventures
a. Pre-start planning and preparation
b. Launching the new venture
c. Market entry strategies
10. Survival and growth of small businesses
a. Barriers to growth in small firms
b. The dynamics of management in growing businesses
GRADING
The final grade of each student is determined considering the following weights:
15% - Participation in class and involvement in class debates during presentations
20% - Case-study assignments
50% - Final report of the Business Plan and its oral presentation (this grade will be
based on the grade given to the group for the business plan). For this final report
quality and originality, and the application of those concepts given in class are valued.
For the oral presentation, group dynamics and the quality of the presentation (oral skills
and the quality of the support material used) are important.
15% - Contribution to the team (based on the assessment that the members of your
team make upon your effort and contribution to the development of the Business Plan
and case-study assignments).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
All necessary readings as well as the case-study pack and additional material will be
handed to you during the course.