Global Entrepreneurship Module - Online MSc

Introduction and module objectives

The Global Entrepreneurship module is about entrepreneurs, innovators, and the things (products, services and processes) they create. Students often misunderstand the purpose of modules on entrepreneurship. Such modules - and this is no exception - are not “vocational”; they don’t tell you how to write a business plan, how to find VC funding for a start-up … etc. Issues like these are certainly subjects that come up for appraisal, but our aim is to critically analyse them, not give you a “how to” for new venture creation.

Entrepreneurship is not confined to the context of new ventures or start-ups. For example, entrepreneurship can occur within large and mature organisations, and as often as not occurs within the non-profit sector.

What the module is about is creativity, and creative problem solving. The module will explore a range of different perspectives on entrepreneurship and the activities of entrepreneurs. If the module is at all “vocational” it is in inculcating a mind-set that supports entrepreneurship and innovation. The intention is is to help you develop the understanding, attitude and skills that will help the global manager create and implement “the new”.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs.
  • Explain the main historical and current perspectives on innovation.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the established set of attitudes of the global entrepreneur.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how individuals and organisations can identify innovation opportunities.
  • Explain the general approaches for exploiting such opportunities.
  • Describe and critically appraise the mechanisms for growing, and exiting from entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of entrepreneurs and the way they work.
  • Explain the contribution that entrepreneurship and innovation makes to broader organisational outcomes.
  • Explore the information requirements to enable creative decisions to be taken and the ways that information is used.

Skills:

  • Present an audit of a new venture or innovation.
  • Diagnose pitfalls and problems with new ventures.
  • Identify potential organisational resistance to innovations.