Entrepreneurial Creativity

Code

BUSI4454

School

Business

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

The module will introduce students to the latest thinking in the areas of creativity, the creative process, knowledge management practices and the nature of entrepreneurship. Having established the vital link between creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and value creation, the course uses directed reading, case study exercises, reflective blog writing and group-based creative problem solving to illustrate entrepreneurial creativity in practice. Students will be introduced to a variety of creative problem solving techniques and learn how to apply these techniques in the context of the development, evaluation, and application of ideas and concepts with commercial potential. The module culminates in students pitching their identified entrepreneurial opportunity to peers and real world entrepreneurs.

Target Students

Available for students on the MSc Entrepreneurship Innovation and Management OR MSc Cultural Industries and Entrepreneurship OR MSc Communication and Entrepreneurship OR MSc Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship OR MRes Biomolecular Technology students AND MSc Exchange students.

Classes

• One 2-hour workshop each week for 11 weeks
• One 1-hour-30-minute lecture each week for 11 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

This module is taught through a combination of lectures and workshops.

Assessment

• 60% Coursework: 5 x 700 words.
• 40% Presentation: 2 mins + 10 mins Q&A. Re-assessment of this module will be 3,000 words individual coursework.

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding: This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

• Markets - the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services
• Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation
• Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance
• People and strategic and operational HRM, meeting future organisational requirements, people development, HR systems
• The management of operations
• The management of projects
• Business innovation – creativity, intrapreneurial – and entrepreneurial behaviour and enterprise development, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property 
• The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.
• Theories, models and frameworks of entrepreneurship and creativity

Intellectual Skills: This module develops:

• Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately
• Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
• Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills

Professional Practical Skills: This module develops:

• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting
• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of quantitative data, synthesis and reporting
• Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management 
• Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring
• The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices
• Leadership and performance management: Selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting targets, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring

Transferable (key) Skills: This module develops:

• Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports
• High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict  resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
• Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations

Conveners

• Dr Christopher Carter