Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management MSc

This module will introduce you 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, this module uses directed reading, case study exercises, reflective blog writing and group-based creative problem solving to illustrate entrepreneurial creativity in practice.

You 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 course culminates in you pitching your identified entrepreneurial opportunity to peers and real-world entrepreneurs.

This module covers:

• definitions of entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial activity
• the theoretical perspectives underpinning the study of entrepreneurship
• understanding what shapes the practice of entrepreneurship both in different settings (for example, social entrepreneurship, technology, family business, international entrepreneurship, environmental business, social media) and due to contextual influences (for example, influence of gender, policy)

This module will introduce you to the more practical elements of innovation and enterprise activity across multiple contexts, including not just new venture creation but corporate and social entrepreneurship as well.

Whereas Entrepreneurship and Creativity focuses on idea generation and entrepreneurial theory, Launching New Ventures will prepare you to recognise opportunities, and to implement innovation and enterprising ideas. The ability to make informed and timely decisions will be an important aspect of this, and the module will use a start-up business simulation to encourage this.

The project is a problem based learning experience where you will work in self-selected teams upon a company based challenge. You are introduced to a company representative and then together develop a problem statement that will be feasible for you to address during the semester and also will deliver a tangible benefit to the company. You are then responsible for managing subsequent meetings with the company, gathering primary and secondary data and keeping the company up to date with progress.

Mentoring is provided to help with project management and the projects will require the application of theoretical constructs from the core modules from semester one to company challenges within an entrepreneurship context. The outcome of the project work should demonstrate an understanding of applying entrepreneurship theories in a practical context and also provide tangible and actionable recommendations to the company.

This module develops a knowledge and understanding of: 

• the dynamics of the global economy and international business and/or an awareness of cultural, legal/regulatory, political, and economic differences across countries and/or an appreciation of management issues from a global perspective
• business innovation - creativity, intrapreneurial - and entrepreneurial behaviour and enterprise development, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property
• leadership and management of people within organisations - leadership, organisational behaviour and motivation
• strategic management - the development and implementation of appropriate strategies within a changing environment

You will be expected to develop a real business concept and take it through to a business plan. This will requires an assessment of the IP position, a marketing analysis, producing a business strategy and a financial analysis. You will be assisted in taking the plan to fruition.

The dissertation should focus on any aspect of entrepreneurship. You are expected to choose a topic in consultation with your supervisor. Supervisors may suggest a topic where it is appropriate. As well as the written dissertation, you will make a presentation giving an overview of your work.

The E-Business module is aimed at future managers and business people who want to know how information and communications technologies (ICTs) can help them to be successful in their careers by understanding how companies use these technologies.

Aims of the module:

• To familiarise the strategic management issues and technology developments associated with e-business
• To provide a solid strategic business view of the uses of web technologies and information systems
• To help understand how and why e-businesses are successful or not, i.e. what makes them 'tick'

Sustainable companies are those that are managed in socially, economically, and ecologically responsible ways. Today's managers are expected to understand the impact of management decisions and practices on the environment and society.

This module considers how sustainability principles are applied in organisations, and how to manage for sustainability. Through use of multiple learning approaches, the module enables you to practically interact with real businesses to address some sustainability challenges faced by the organisation.

The module introduces the you to frameworks and theories use to critically assess sustainability, and to integrate sustainability into the business strategy.

The module enables you to develop an understanding of the practical dilemmas facing businesses as they seek to respond to multiple, and often, conflicting stakeholders expectations. You will be expected to critically reflect upon your practical experiences and capture these using a learning journal.

The purpose of this course is to help you better understand the theory and processes of entrepreneurial sales and negotiation to develop the skills to sell and negotiate successfully in a variety of business settings.

Readings, exercises, and examples relate to the broad spectrum of negotiations that business professionals face with colleagues, employers, employees, clients, competitors, and others. These include a range of substantive issues such as purchase and sale transactions, contract negotiations, salary negotiations, workplace disputes, inter-organisational relationships, multiparty private/public negotiations, and negotiations regarding organizational change.  Sales theory and exercises build the basic understanding required to plan and successfully execute a sales revenue stream for entrepreneurial organisations.

The module combines practical and theoretical perspectives on the process of leading an entrepreneurial firm, managing growth, and developing a strategic plan.

Leading entrepreneurial growth will develop your capacity to evaluate multiple strategic options under conditions of uncertainty. Using multiple frameworks and concepts you will construct a strategic growth plan.

The module also provides insights into personal dimensions of leading entrepreneurial growth strategies across multiple types of organisations including start-ups, family owned firms, corporations and non-profits.

This module aims to provide students with the skills, knowledge and practical experience required to respond to the challenges involved in managing, commercialising and marketing technological innovation and new business development.

Venture capital and private equity provide risk capital to firms at various stages of their life-cycle. This involves selecting early-stage and late-stage investment opportunities, due diligence, structuring deals, valuation, managing portfolio firms, and exit.