Current Trends and a Minor in Business Development D, 30 Credits

Contents

The course gives the opportunity to further develop within the major subject in a module on the latest development and in a module on research methodology. The course also gives a minor subject in Business Development. The course is given an examined in English.

Generic learning outcome.
The course has a number of goals for the development of generic competences. After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• valuate equality, diversity and multiculturalism multiculturality and work effectively in multicultural teams
• integrate knowledge and expertise from different fields for decision making in companies and  organization and for identifying, analysing and solving problems related to entrepreneurship and business development
• plan, conduct, and present verbally and in writing investigations and discuss their conclusion and the knowledge and arguments behind, in dialogue with different types of stakeholders
• demonstrate an ability to take ethical and sustainability consideration when analysing and solving business development and entrepreneurship problems

Common expected learning outcome:

• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
Module 2. Managing Networks and Internationalisation, 7,5 credits
Module 3. Entrepreneurship and Business Growth, 7.5 credits
Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration, 7,5 credits

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 credits
The overarching aim of this course is to develop advanced knowledge of perspectives, strategies and design in research. This will increase the student's ability to carry out and assess business research and investigations. Important building blocks are the problem formulation, frames of reference, scientific approaches, including the ontological and epistemological points of departure, and methods for data collection and analysis.
 
Expected learning outcomes:
After completing this module the student should be able to:

• identify and discuss how fundamental assumptions, scientific ideals, perspectives and frames of reference influence a process of scientific knowledge creation
• formulate and argue for relevant research questions, including the theoretical relevance and positioning
• discuss characteristics of research strategies and discuss and evaluate the suitability of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods respectively, to solve different research questions
• apply acquired knowledge in the planning, design, implementation and reporting of scientific studies
• demonstrate an ability to assess and discuss social, environmental and ethical aspects of the business research process

Lectures, seminars, practical assignment(s), individually or in groups, and the reading material complement each other to help students to develop deep knowledge of what scientific research in business and management fields is all about.
 
Examination modes
The assessment is based on an individual written hall exam and reporting of individual written assignment(s). Participation at all seminars and presentations is compulsory to pass the module. The final grade is awarded when the student has passed all assignments and compulsory module elements. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 2. Managing Networks and Internationalisation, 7,5 credits
In the international business setting, organizations meet competition from existing incumbents as well as new entrants and managers consequently need to design strategies both for cooperation and competition. This module focuses on   how companies can develop business capabilities related to internationalization, various business relationships and different types of networking. This includes building, maintaining and supporting businesses with various modes of foreign operations, joint ventures, alliances and networks, in a complex environment.  The students will analyze and design strategies for internationalization and network relationships through cases.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• explain the relationships between entrepreneurship, networking, internationalization, and business development
• analyze and interpret the dynamic structures and processes for international business development
• audit firms' international and network strategies 
• develop action plans and recommendations in order to support business development activities 
• identify strategic and ethical aspects of networking and internationalisation processes

Focus of instruction
From lectures, seminars and the literature base the ambition is to encourage the development of a conceptual understanding of the field. The ability to analyze real business problems and integrate different models and perspectives to solve these problems will be developed through different learning methods such as cases and audits. .  The audit of network and internationalization strategies will help the students to integrate conceptual understanding with the structures and processes of real-life businesses.

Examination modes
The examination consists of seminar(s), a written group assignment, andand an individual written hall exam. A passing grade is required for each part. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.

Module 3. Entrepreneurship and Business Growth, 7.5 credits
A key challenge for start-ups and existing organizations is to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and create growth. The module discusses different perspectives on growth in small- and medium-sized enterprises and the differences between entrepreneurial orientation and a more traditional small business orientation. In the module students will analyze entrepreneurship, and how professional investors perceive entrepreneurial growth in emerging enterprises. Main themes concern (i) theoretical perspectives on entrepreneurship and its connections to business growth, (ii) the characteristics and components of entrepreneurial motivation, risk taking and the willingness to grow businesses, (iii) entrepreneurial strategy-making, (iv) entrepreneurial growth in context, (v) venture capital and financing challenges. The literature will cover these themes and connect them to businesses. During the module, students work with cases related to the above themes and develop solutions to solve the issues and problems outlined in the cases.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• apply theoretical knowledge to identify and evaluate challenges for, and ethical consequences of, entrepreneurial growth
• analyze driving forces for entrepreneurial growth and create strategies for new venture development
• assess how investors evaluate entrepreneurial growth and how institutional intervention influence entrepreneurial growth
• create solutions about how to turn around entrepreneurial ventures in distress
• apply investors decision making tools in order to evaluate and improve entrepreneurial ventures

Focus of instruction
Learning is supported by lectures and seminars and the teaching is characterized by a strong emphasis on student activity, both verbally and in written tasks. Work in groups is an essential part of the module. Assignments will include both practical analyses of growth possibilities and growth restrictions on the separate themes during the course. The student is expected to actively participate both individually and work in small groups during seminars and tasks, and in the written and oral presentations.

Examination modes
The examination consists of written group assignments and an individual oral exam. A pass grade is required for each part of the module. The course is given and examined in English. Note also examination modes below for the course as a whole.
 
Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration, 7,5 credits
The ambition of this module is to identify and uncover current trends.  These trends have a strong long-term impact on society at large and thus form future premises and give rise to challenges for businesses. The aim of the module is to explore how business and society interact to tackle such present and future challenges. The expectation is that students participating in this module are well equipped with knowledge and skills related to their own major, one of the five sub-disciplines accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing in Business Administration.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module the student should be able to:

• analyse fundamental societal issues and what impact businesses have on these issues 
• identify and evaluate emerging trends in society
• critically discuss business decisions relating to current trendsevaluate information, knowledge and policy in relation to current trends in terms of validity and reliability
• relate current trends to research in business administration within the field of the student's major
• be able to share multidisciplinary knowledge

Focus of instruction
Learning is supported by lectures, guest lectures and guided exercises. Students are provided with relevant sources of information and scientific literature for supporting individual and  group works related to the themes of lectures and exercises.
 
Examination modes
The main mode of examination is an individual written essay with a subsequent oral examination. The essay requires convincing discussion of the importance and urgency of solving a specific problem related to any of the current trends from the disciplinary perspective of the student's major. Further, the examination consists of individual and group reflection papers related to the various course activities.
Attendance at all work in progress and final presentation seminars, group work and guest lectures related presentation events are mandatory and thus a requirement to pass the course. A passing grade for each graded part of the course is required to pass. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Expected learning outcomes

See each separate module.

Required Knowledge

90 credits with a minimum of 75 credits in Business Administration and 30 credits advanced level within the core course in Business Administration at one of the following Master programs in Business Administration (Management, Accounting, Marketing or Finance) at Umeå School of Business and Economics. 

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B or the equivalent

Form of instruction

See each separate module.

Examination modes

See each separate module and below.
 
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).
 
Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.
To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a re- examination within two months. An additional examination opportunity is normally offered every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term. If required by specific circumstances, other form of examination can be used. 

A student that has failed an examination on two occasions has a right to have another examiner or grading teacher appointed, unless there are special reasons against it. A written request addressed to the Director of Studies should be made no later than 14 days before the next examination opportunity. 

Adaptations 
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified. 

Academic integrity and cheating 
As a student, you are expected to act with academic integrity. This means writing and presenting within the limits of the academic rules and expectations communicated in the university's regulations and what is otherwise specified by the responsible department. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who use unauthorized help aids or in some other way try to mislead on a test or on another type of task for examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to written assignments. Submitted material may be subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

This course can not be included in the degree together with 2fe193,2fe194,2fe195,2fe196

This course can not be included in the degree together with 2fe200, 2fe178, 2fe425 and 2fe147