Foundations and Forms of Entrepreneurship

COURSE OBJECTIVE

Academic and research skills: Students are able to assess and conduct a feasibility study of a new business idea that validates the proposed customer needs and market potential by systematically collecting, analyzing, and reporting relevant data.

Bridging theory and practice: Students understand the core theories and concepts in the field of entrepreneurship, as reflected by their ability to analyze, compare, and apply these theories and concepts to analyze and solve the key management challenges faced by real-world entrepreneurs.

Social skills: Students are able to effectively pitch a new business idea to others, and can present the results of their feasibility studies to a group of peers in a professional, engaging manner.

COURSE CONTENT
Foundations and Forms of Entrepreneurship is an introductory course for students who like to learn about entrepreneurship, its role and importance in our society, and the process by which entrepreneurs transform new ideas into successful business ventures. Entrepreneurship is commonly associated with the creation of new businesses, but it also captures a distinct mindset that is valuable across a wide range of contexts. In this course, students learn to understand and apply basic theories from economics, sociology, and psychology to study key topics in entrepreneurship. These include the role of entrepreneurship in economic growth; traits, motivations and behaviors of entrepreneurs; the process of identifying, evaluating and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities; business planning and financing for new ventures; managing growth and founder-CEO succession; social entrepreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship. Theoretical understanding of these subjects is applied to real world cases focusing on key management challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and a team project in which students conduct a feasibility study to validate the customer needs and market potential for a new business idea.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures
Tutorials

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Assignments – Group assessment
Assignments – Individual assessment
Written exam – Individual assessment
Mandatory attendance tutorials and (guest) lectures