Current Trends and a Minor in Business Development D, 30 Credits

Contents

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 ECTS
Module 2. Entrepreneurship and business growth, 7.5 ECTS
Module 3. Managing networks and internationalisation, 7,5 ECTS
Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration, 7,5 ECTS

Module 1. Research Methodology in Business Research, 7,5 ECTS
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 this 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 approaches, critically review and assess literature, and discuss and evaluate the suitability of various methods 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 dimensions of business research issues

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 final grade is based on a written exam and reporting of 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 course elements.

Module 2. Entrepreneurship and Business Growth, 7.5 ECTS
A key challenge for start-ups and existing organisations is to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit, consolidate business activities and create growth. The course defines growth in small- and medium-sized enterprises and the differences between entreprenurial orientation and small business orientation. In the course students will not only analyse entrepreneurship, but also investigate how professional investors perceive entrepreneurial growth in emerging enterprises. Main themes concern (i) the theory of 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) growing pains, downsizing and size management and (v) venture capital and financing challenges. The course literature will cover these themes and connect them to businesses. During the course, students work with cases related to the above themes and develop consultant 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 entrepreneurial growth 
• analyse driving forces for entrepreneurial growth
• perceive how investors evaluate entrepreneurial growth, that is banks, venture capital and business angels
• analyse the constituents of governmental intervention for the benefit of entrepreneurial growth
• identify and make decisions 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
A mix of lectures and seminars will be used and the teaching is characterized by a strong emphasis on
students activity, both verbally and in written tasks. Presentation skills and team work is focused upon. 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 of practical “hands-on” team presentations and case reports of the themes covered in the course. An individual written exam covering the main themes will be given at the end of this module. A passing grade is required for each part of the module. See also note 6 below.

Module 3. Managing Networks and Internationalisation
In the module, the two main topics are internationalisation and networking of entrepreneurial organizations. Key issues in this course are how companies can develop business capabilities through internationalization and networking;  building, maintaining and supporting businesses  with various modes of foreign operations, e.g., exporting,  joint ventures, alliances and networks, meeting competition from existing incumbents and new entrants as well as balancing cooperation and competition in international business settings.  The students will practice to analysing and planning internationalization strategies and network relationships.

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

• identify strategic aspects of networking and internationalisation processes
• interpret the dynamic structures and processes for international business development
• apply models and theories via decision based simulations and cases
• explain the relationships between entrepreneurship, networking, internationalisation and business development
• develop measures and recommendations in order to support business development activities

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 integration of models and perspectives will be accomplished by different learning methods like real-life cases and simulations. During the course students will analyse real cases (company/ organization/network or an industry). The simulation will help the students to act upon suggestions for strategies and actions programs for networking and international development.

Examination modes
The examination is based on three parts: 1) active participation on case seminar(s) with written reports and oral presentations 2) active participation in business simulation game 3) individual home exam See also note 6 below.

Module 4. Current Trends in Business Administration 7,5 ECTS
The aim of this master course is to lead the students to explore, create greater far-sightedness and also readiness to meet emerging strategic trends in business environments.  The first part of the course focuses on general theories, practice, and methods related to future studies. Specific attention is paid to international “mega trends” which are predicted to have a long-term impact on society at large, e.g. climate change, globalization, and an aging population. The second part concentrates on the core areas of the five master programs at USBE, and will examine how “mega trends” may be transformed to strategies and management routines related to the business sector.  Emerging research questions and suggestions for future research in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, or marketing will be discussed. In the last part of the course, but introduced at the beginning of the course, each student will apply acquired knowledge to develop a conceptual paper based on the identification of one future-oriented topic.    

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course the student should be able to:

• evaluate emerging trends in society
• demonstrate familiarity with forecasting/scanning/scenario/monitoring methods
• formulate specific action plans of how to meet current trends in specific sub-disciplines in the business sector
• with a research approach evaluate the state of the art and identify and communicate future trends within the major field of the master program relevant for respective student

Focus of instruction
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars and course papers. The core topics will be covered by lectures and seminars, in which students will be expected to take an active part. Students are required to make oral presentations at seminars and to submit written course papers.

Examination modes
Examination is based upon the completion and defense of an individual conceptual

Expected learning outcomes

See respective module.

Required Knowledge

University: Admitted to one of the following Master programs in Business Administration (Management, Accounting, Marketing or Finance) at Umeå School of Business and Economics.

Form of instruction

See respective module.

Examination modes

See also above under respective module.
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more) and 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 will be offered an 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.

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.

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.

All lectures’ and seminars’ material including the assigned compulsory reading during the module might be used as basis for re-examination.

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 cannot retake 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

This is a course at D-level (Advanced level) in the Masters program in Business and Administration at Umeå School of Business and Economics