Entrepreneurship is the essence of free enterprise because the birth of new business gives a market economy its vitality. New and emerging business creates a very large proportion of innovative products and services that transform the way we work and live. These subject challenges the students to examine their own entrepreneurial potential and examines key issues of debate within the field of entrepreneurial activity. There is an ever-increasing need for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial behaviour within the Irish economy. This module is theoretically strong grounded and very practical for the student. The module is designed to examine the enterprise and gain strong ‘practical’ insights into different areas of an enterprise, such as Organisation, Operation, Sales and Marketing, and Research and Development. In addition, it promotes entrepreneurship from a cross disciplinary perspective of how it interacts with broad aspects of an enterprise.
Images of Enterprise
Defining entrepreneurship; Tasks and role of the entrepreneur; Entrepreneurship
classifications; Serial entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurship and small business management; Enterprise culture in Ireland; Government policy
The Entrepreneurial Process
Entrepreneurship and the drive for change; Entrepreneurial process: Opportunity and resources, Organisation action and the dynamics of success; Entrepreneurship in non‐profit organisations; Influences in the move to entrepreneurship
Structuring the Organisation for Entrepreneurship
Role of structural context; Structure, processes and relationships; Entrepreneurial organisational design; Entrepreneurial projects; Complexities in applying structural context.
Entrepreneurial Capabilities
Resource based theory and the entrepreneurial organisation. Overcoming resource disadvantages. Managing contingencies and changing contexts.
Choosing a Direction
Entrepreneurial vision and mission; Developing, shaping, and communicating vision and mission; Business strategy process; Controlling strategy process; Entrepreneurial entry strategies, Entrepreneurial strategy heuristics
Marketing and Small Firms
Marketing and entrepreneurship; Market planning in small firms; Marketing models and marketing performance
The Family Firm
Complexity of economic and social forces; Conflict of cultures; Resolving conflict; Succession and its management
SimVenture Evolution (Business Simulation Software)
- Running multiple business simulation exercises:
- on an individual and a group basis.
- Simulations will focus on:
- specific functional areas of an enterprise (e.g. organisation, operation, sales and marketing, and research and development);
- problems, issues & dilemmas (e.g. profitability, cash-flow, efficiency, moral, etc.);
- Business phases (start-up, growth maturity, decline, re-invention).
The learning and teaching methods employed will include lectures, discussions, problem-solving exercises, reading, and self-directed learning. In addition, formal lectures and workshops are supported by guest lecturers from practitioners in the area.
In addition to the reading list, supplemental readings will be continually provided to ensure that students are aware of current academic developments and emerging practitioner issues.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |