Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module BUSI48Q15: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND VENTURE GROWTH (TAUGHT)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI48Q15: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND VENTURE GROWTH (TAUGHT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2021/22
Tied to N2K507
Tied to N1N107
Tied to N6K207
Tied to N5K507

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To explore venture growth, including the barriers, challenges, and its transforming effect upon the firm and the entrepreneur’s role.

Content

  • Venture growth patterns and explanations
  • Processes of venture growth
  • Sources of growth
  • Organisational and Leadership Dimensions
  • Female Entrepreneurship and Growth
  • Supporting High Growth Ventures

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should have:
  • an understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in the process of growth;
  • an in-depth understanding of the factors associated with growing a venture;
  • understanding of the principles of planning growth in a business venture;
  • a nuanced awareness of the challenges involved in achieving both venture growth and sustainability; and
  • a critical appreciation of the ways in which stakeholders other than entrepreneurs can support venture growth (government policy, banks, consultants etc.)
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module students should have:
  • the ability to apply a range of advanced techniques, analytical tools and skills to practical aspects of business planning for early and on-going growth stages.
Key Skills:
  • In addition, students will have had the opportunity to further develop the following key skills:
  • Written communication skills
  • Practical planning processes
  • Organising and time management
  • Identification/analysis of relevant information resources
  • Computer literacy
  • Case study building

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

  • Delivery is through Workshops, which include a combination of lectures, class discussion and individual work undertaken by students in advance of the sessions, used to explore the themes. Lectures will be used in the workshop sessions to identify and set the main issues in their theoretical and empirical context, and also provide a basis for informed discussion. Emphasis is placed upon the development of practical perspectives and understanding drawn from selected case studies and from the individual’s own case study developed through direct contact with a suitable business. Imaginative presentation of ideas and findings is encouraged in the report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of taught input, exercises, group work, case studies and discussion) timetabled in blocks 24
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
A report on the individual student’s case study firm, focused upon its growth ambitions and experience, analysing how it overcame barriers, and reflections on emerging lessons 3,000 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment (1,000 words max.) focused around the broad characteristics of the selected growth firm, and the structure of the interview schedule to be used. Students receive individual written feedback on their assignment.

■ 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