Change and Entrepreneurship in Organizations C, 15 Credits

Contents

How to handle change and how to innovate and act entrepreneurially is a core question for most organizations. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of change and entrepreneurship within organizations, and to develop an active approach in dealing with external and internal change as well as in seizing entrepreneurial opportunities. The course is based on two modules. The first module deals with the concept of change and various approaches to understanding organizational change, while the second module focuses on corporate entrepreneurship in different types of organizations:

1. Module 1. Organizational Change, 7.5 ECTS
2. Module 2. Corporate Entrepreneurship, 7.5 ECTS

Module 1.   Organizational Change, 7.5 ECTS
The module deals with the management of change from different theoretical perspectives. It opens with the traditional, rational approach that plays a dominant role in theory and practice. The module then turns to contrasting perspectives on change such as institutional, cultural and critical perspectives, which allows for a wider and more comprehensive outlook on the practice and management of change in business organization.

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

•  describe and discuss theoretical perspectives on organizational change, for instance rational, institutional, cultural and critical perspectives.
•  evaluate and critically reflect upon different perspectives on change.
•  analyse the practice of change in the context of organizations.

Focus of instruction
The structure of teaching consists of lectures, literature seminars and case analyses. In addition, students will conduct an academic literature search and review.

Examination modes
Examination consists of an individual written home exam, individual and group literature search and literature review, case seminar, term paper presentation. Participation in literature seminars, case analyses and the presentation of the literature search and review is obligatory. In addition, a passing grade is required for each part to complete the course. See also note 6 below.

Module 2.   Corporate Entrepreneurship, 7.5 ECTS
In this module, focus is placed on continuous entrepreneurial and innovative activity in existing organizations, so-called corporate entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship. The organizational potential for corporate entrepreneurship and innovation, in particular in growing and maturing firms is discussed, and related to how different types of firms organize to support exploration and exploitation of opportunities. Further, therefore, the extension of entrepreneurship theory to new areas such as social and public entrepreneurship is discussed..

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

•  describe and compare different characteristics of corporate, social and public entrepreneurship
•  analyse how factors both within the organization and in the business environment support or hinder entrepreneurship and innovation
•  identify creative ways to overcome hinders to entrepreneurship in organizations
•  evaluate the appropriateness of strategies towards opportunity exploration and exploitation in organizations, discuss alternative solutions and formulate practical recommendations for future activities that support entrepreneurial behavior
•  present and communicate the evaluation and recommendations referred to above
•  reflect upon their own attitudes toward entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurial they may be as managers or employees in established organizations

Focus of instruction
Emphasis is placed on student activity, and therefore the structure of teaching consists of group work, seminars and case analyses and only a limited number of lectures. Role-play may be used during seminars. As a major part of the module, students will conduct an evaluation of a real-life organization, resulting in practical recommendations. Participation in seminars, case analyses and the presentation of the case evaluation is obligatory.

Examination modes
Examination consist of a group based case assignment, individual seminar assignment, individual written home exam and a term paper. The term paper is written and presented by a group in a seminar. A passing grade is required for each part. See also note 6 below.

Expected learning outcomes

See respectively module.

Required Knowledge

Courses in Business Administration (60 ECTS) At Basic level (A-level) and Intermediate level (B-level) a minimum of 60 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B, English/6.

Form of instruction

See respectively module.

Examination modes

See also above under respectively module. Examination of Modules 1-2 will be based upon the student’s active participation in seminars, a written comprehensive examination (tentamen), and successful completion of group or individual coursework as assigned.

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

To receive the grade Pass with distinction in the course, the student must have achieved at least 75% of the total of points in the separate modules or the equivalent.

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

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the module.

Students who do not pass at the time of the normal written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within a month. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.

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 regulation.

Other regulations

This is a course at the C-level in a Bsc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business.