The Evolution of Entrepreneurship

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
This module examines theories of entrepreneurship and how it has been practiced from the 19th to the 21st century. It explores the context in which entrepreneurs operate and the strategies that they have developed in order to survive.

Aims:
To develop student?s awareness and understanding of the theories of entrepreneurship and how it has been practiced from the 19th to the 21st century. This will involve an appreciation of the context in which entrepreneurs operate and the strategies that they have developed in order to survive by using both theory and case studies.

Assessable learning outcomes:
? To analyse theories of entrepreneurship and the context in entrepreneurs operate, especially their vital contribution to economic growth.
? To appraise the backgrounds of individual entrepreneurs and their contribution to entrepreneurial activity.
? To identify assess the different organisational forms that entrepreneurs operate within. To identify different ?groups? that entrepreneurs belong to (based upon ethnicity, gender or family) and how this impacts upon their entrepreneurial behaviour.
? To critically analyse the innovation and financial provision that has made entrepreneurship possible.
? To identify the interface between entrepreneurs and the market and the influence this relationship has upon entrepreneurial strategy.
? To analyse entrepreneurs in a long-term framework through the use of specific historical and contemporary case studies.
Additional outcomes:
By undertaking group presentations, students will enhance their information gathering and presentations skills and IT skills during this module, as well as their team working abilities.

Outline content:
This module examines entrepreneurial activity and analyses its influence upon economic growth, from the industrial revolution to the present day.
It will also analyse how entrepreneurs have had to operate in competitive environments. It will deliver this in thematic lectures and use seminars to provide case studies.
Key topics include:

? Individual entrepreneurship
? Gender and entrepreneurship
? Ethnic entrepreneurship
? Innovation and entrepreneurship
? Finance and entrepreneurship
? Marketing and entrepreneurship

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Two-hour lectures combined with two-hour seminars.
The basic material will be covered in lectures in which class discussion will also take place.
Presentations and discussion take place in the seminars.

Contact hours:
Lectures 20
Seminars 4
Work-based learning 0
Guided independent study 175
Total hours by term 199

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 50
Written assignment including essay 30
Oral assessment and presentation 20

Length of examination:
2 hours

Requirements for a pass:
A weighted average of at least 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:
By re-sit examination