Entrepreneurship and Creativity
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BUSI4560 | Business | 4 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- BUSI4560
- School
- Business
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Theorists and policy makers now understand the link between entrepreneurial activity and economic development, and creativity and innovation underpin all successful entrepreneurship. Successful entrepreneurship is characterised by a set of identifiable skills that are useful in any domain, and these skills are best developed in an integrative and engaged environment, where theory can be practically applied. This module will use the Ingenuity creative problem solving model to integrate the content and simulate the entrepreneurial environment. The module's focus will be on generating, evaluating and selling innovative ideas in a team context. Whilst led by academics, practitioner engagement will be central to the module's successful delivery. This will be achieved through a combination of guest lectures and mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs.
Target Students
Only available for students on one of the Executive MBA variants OR MBA Executive Senior Leadership students.
Classes
- One 4-hour lecture
- One 7-hour lecture
This module is taught through a series of lectures. 32 hours contact time over a one-week intensive block.
Assessment
- 70% Project: 3,000 word individual report. Re-assessment: 3,000 word individual report.
- 30% Group Presentation: 15 minutes including 5 minutes Q&A. Re-assessment: 3,000 word individual report.
Assessed by end of designated period
Educational Aims
This module is designed to provide an insight into the nature of entrepreneurship and innovation in theory and practice. Students will be expected to apply the relevant theory presented on the module in a simulated entrepreneurial environment, of which the Ingenuity model will be the basis. The model provides students with the opportunity to investigate and experience the processes involved in creativity, alongside the generation, assessment and pitching of entrepreneurial ideas. Students will additionally benefit from significant engagement with experienced entrepreneurs and other practitioners.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
- Marketing and sales - different approaches for segmentation, targeting, positioning, generating sales, and the need for innovation in product and service design
- People - the management and development of people within organisations
- The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices
- Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation
- Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance
- 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.
- Leadership and management of people within organisations - leadership, organisational behaviour and motivation
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 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 the need for and initiate change and to be able to manage change
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