Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems B, 7.5 Credits

Contents

In this course the students are introduced to entrepreneurship as a phenomenon and knowledge area. The main purpose is to develop the knowledge of and understanding for entrepreneurship and business development processes.

During the course, the development of the concept and academic discipline of entrepreneurship are discussed. The concept of entrepreneurship is problematized and the multidisciplinary character of the area is outlined. The entrepreneurial perspective based upon the idea of social agency is compared to the management perspective, which has primarily dominated earlier courses in the International Business Program.

The focus of this course is entrepreneurship related to business development, both as manifested in the establishment of new ventures and in the renewal of existing firms. A central question is: How are entrepreneurial processes developed and what are the main driving forces in the development process? The driving forces are found in the entrepreneur/the entrepreneurial team as well as in their dynamic context. Questions about what entrepreneurial activity is, and how entrepreneurial approaches relate to current trends in the society and structural changes, are illuminated with help of theoretical discussions and practical examples. The majority of these discussions are organized in the form of thematic student lectures. Examples of entrepreneurship themes that may occur in the course are growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and new venture creation.

Entrepreneurship manifests itself in actual business activity. As a part of the course, the different aspects of business administration will be integrated by using and developing previous knowledge in the subject to develop a business idea and to conceptualize this idea in a business plan. Through this, the entrepreneurial perspective will be merged with the management perspective, which also is a prerequisite for business.
To be able to conduct business development in a successful way, access to, and managing supportive systems are of crucial importance. This course will deal with these issues by having computer based exercises in using supporting systems in the decision process.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

•     describe and problematizes the concept of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial perspective
•     describe and analyze the entrepreneurial process, its drivers, characteristics and context
•     apply theories about entrepreneurship to real life situations
•     take initiatives and independently develop a business idea and use knowledge gained from earlier courses in business    administrative in order to develop this idea in a business plan sketch
•     use the main information resources in the entrepreneurship field
•     plan and perform a presentation within a theme about entrepreneurship as well as argue for and sell a business idea
•     show competence regarding  what business processes support systems that are available for business development

Required Knowledge

University: Courses in Business Administration (30 ECTS) from A-level (Basic) course (Management, Marketing and Management Accounting). The course is only aimed for foreign exchange students studying at Umeå School of Business through formal exchange agreements.

Form of instruction

The education in entrepreneurship shall also contribute to developing students’ creativity, ability to take initiative and their action orientation. The pedagogical idea of the course therefore builds on key words such as theoretical abstraction and practical activity in interaction with student activity and students’ ability to learn in interaction with others.

Various teaching methods are used during the course. A minor number of lectures of introductory and orientation character are supplemented with guest lectures by researchers, entrepreneurs and others, who work with entrepreneurship and business development in practice.
Learning activities that focus student initiative and action orientation dominate during the course. During the course will the students, as an integrated part of the course, have the possibility to practice his/her capacity to obtain information about a theme and through a student lecture communicate theoretical ideas and connect them to real life businesses and/or entrepreneurs. Students will also perform a business development assignment. The assessment means that students formulate an idea and a business plan for a company’s continued activity. The assessment is presented through an oral presentation and a written report, which will be discussed in a seminar. The work with these assignments is performed in smaller groups. Literature seminars may also be used. All teaching will be in English.

Examination modes

The students are assessed through an individual comprehensive exam, a student lecture, a business development assignment and an exercise on Business support systems. A passing grade is required on each part of the course.

All examination will be in English

Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).

In order to pass the course, the student must complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of the points of each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points on the course.

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given on each occasion.

Students who do not pass the written examination will be offered a re-examination opportunity within a month. Beyond that, additional opportunities to complete the written examination normally arise every academic year one-week prior to the start of the autumn term.

Students who fail to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written examination cannot have their results registered

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the Thesis manual. Thesis writing in Business Administration.) Urkund records may be used for control.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However attendance is expected because the lectures are designed to facilitate students towards achieving course specific learning objectives. In addition lectures often provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course litterateur and other relevant course materials.

Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grading.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

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

Other regulations

The course is included in the International Business Program at Umeå School of Business and Economics. The course is also offered to exchange students within formal exchange agreements.