Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module BUSI4J810: New Venture Creation (FT)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI4J810: New Venture Creation (FT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2017/18
Tied to N1T517
Tied to N1T617

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • BUSI 4J710 Entrepreneurial Management and Corporate Entrepreneurship (FT)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To contribute to the overall aims of the programme by providing students with an opportunity to develop their understanding and skills within a specialised area of management practice.
  • To develop students' understanding of the small business and empathy with the experience of the small business owner.
  • To develop students' understanding of the requirements necessary to create new business ventures.
  • To develop students' skills for working effectively with small business owner-managers and management teams.
  • To develop links with the Business School’s research strategy by incorporating research into small business growth and development, and the wider policy environment.

Content

  • The Small and Medium Enterprise and the owner-manager.
  • New Venture Creation: Generating and evaluating opportunity; Developing a clear and commercially viable business concept; Designing the enterprise; Launching an effective and sustainable enterprise.
  • The Policy and Support environment.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
  • have a critical appreciation of the complex processes associated with Small and Medium Enterprise start-up, survival and growth;
  • have a critical awareness of the Policy and Support environment for the small business.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
  • be able to identify the critical characteristics of the Small and Medium Enterprise and the owner-manager;
  • be able to apply appropriate specialist knowledge and techniques to analysing Small and Medium Enterprise performance and problems.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication
  • Planning, organising and time management
  • Problem solving and analysis
  • Using initiative
  • Computer literacy

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a mix of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading.
  • The summative written assignment will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Teaching blocks (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 24
Preparation & Reading 76
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment 3,000 words maximum 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Students will do a group presentation.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University