Current Trends and a Minor in Business Development 30 credits

About the course

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.

• 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

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
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 the 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.

Focus of instruction
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 analyse 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.
• analyse 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 analyse 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, and an individual written hall exam. A passing grade is required for each part. The module 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 analyse 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.
• analyse 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 written group assignments and an individual oral exam. A pass grade is required for each part of the module. The module 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 the 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 trends.
• evaluate 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.
 
Module 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.