Corporate Entrepreneurship, 7.5 credits

Contents

The course addresses entrepreneurial and innovative activities in established organizations, an area commonly referred to as corporate entrepreneurship (organisational entrepreneurship). The focus is on how organizations can develop structures and ways of working that enable entrepreneurial renewal across different types of operations. The course examines how organizations can be designed to stimulate entrepreneurial behaviour, including aspects such as structure, organizational culture, leadership, control systems, and incentives. Furthermore, the course covers corporate venturing, for example corporate incubators and accelerators, venture capital investments and acquisitions, as well as strategic collaborations in the form of networks, alliances, and joint ventures.

The course also explores the dynamics of leading and working in entrepreneurial organizations and in inter-organizational interfaces, with particular emphasis on how relationships, team processes, leadership, and various forms of diversity influence the ability to initiate and drive entrepreneurial initiatives. Finally, the course addresses how organizations can develop coherent systems to promote, organize, and integrate entrepreneurial and innovative activities.

Expected learning outcomes

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

Knowledge and understanding
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe and discuss organisational entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and corporate venturing, and explain how these phenomena contribute to renewal in different types of established organisations
• explain and analyse how organisational factors shape organisations’ ability to initiate and carry out entrepreneurial initiatives, both internally and in collaboration with external actors.

Skills and abilities
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• identify and analyse barriers and enablers for entrepreneurial initiatives within and between organisations
• analyse dynamic processes related to leading and working in entrepreneurial organisations and in inter-organisational interfaces
• design and justify strategies for developing and supporting intrapreneurship, corporate venturing and entrepreneurial collaborations
• conduct advanced analyses of an organisation’s conditions for organisational entrepreneurship and formulate recommendations for strengthening the organisation’s entrepreneurial system
• present and communicate evaluations and recommendations for developing organisational entrepreneurship and innovation activities.

Judgement and approach
After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• critically examine and assess the relevance and credibility of empirical sources as a basis for evaluations and practical recommendations within organisational entrepreneurship
• reflect on ethical, social and organisational consequences of entrepreneurial initiatives in established organisations, including issues related to power, diversity, accountability and risk
• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing.

Required Knowledge

Completed courses totalling 60 credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.

Form of instruction

Emphasis is placed on student activity, and learning is supported by different seminars, case analyses, group work and lectures. As an integrating assignment, students will conduct an evaluation of an organization, resulting in practical recommendations. The course is given and examined in English.

Examination modes

The examination comprises of individual written assignments, seminar discussions, a written individual hall exam and a written group case assignment including seminar presentation.

The following grading system is used:
- Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more).
- Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more).
- Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).

Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

A student who does not pass the first examination will be offered an opportunity for 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, another 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 on deviations 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 in examination. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing is applicable to written assignments. Submitted material is subject to plagiarism control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research apply.

Transfer of credits
Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the course that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.

Other regulations

This course overlaps fully or partially with the courses 2FE185 and 2FE138 and therefore cannot be included (at its full credit value) in a degree together with these courses.