BSc (Hons) Management with Entrepreneurship

This module will introduce you to key theories, insights and methods within Organisational Studies. In particular, it will critically examine different organisational forms, processes and contexts.

The module places an important emphasis on the meaning and content of organisational strategies. It will help you develop the tools you need to analyse an organisation’s positioning within the marketplace, and think/plan strategically in order to make it more competitive.

You'll gain an understanding of strategic management and appreciate the interrelated dynamics of both strategic and organisational research and practice.

This module introduces students to microeconomics, macroeconomics and the context of economic analysis. Students will get a good grounding in microeconomic theory and will understand the principles used in mainstream rational choice and perfect competition theory.

The course will cover preference theory, demand and supply, income and substitution effects, cost and revenue curves, perfect competition and partial equilibrium theory. The focus here is the internal consistency of neoclassical microeconomics as exemplified in rational choice theory and competitive markets, and its use of logic. Arguments showing the context and limited nature of neoclassical economic tools in explaining the economic and social reality will be discussed throughout these weeks. 

Then students will be taught topics of macroeconomics. In this section, the focus will be on the following specific concepts: national accounting, inflation, unemployment and business cycles. The analysis of these concepts will be through the use of contemporary schools of economic thought (New Classical, New Keynesian, Post Keynesian, and Monetarist) and their analytical frameworks. By viewing these concepts through these different frameworks, the student is introduced into open-ended discussions on these topics as different answers are equally valid as long as students can clearly identify the theoretical frameworks that he/she is using.

Finally, students then will learn about the social, political and business context of economic theory through the discussion of case studies and real-world examples.

• Learn about why entrepreneurship is important and how it impacts on individuals, communities and nations
• Examine different forms of entrepreneurship from business start-ups to corporate entrepreneurship, to family businesses and growth-oriented businesses
• Understand entrepreneurial processes from opportunity identification to resource acquisition and innovation and why some people become entrepreneurs while others do not
• Examine different groups of entrepreneurs including female and ethnic minority entrepreneurs and the cultural and contextual factors that shape their development

This module is an introduction to marketing. By the end of the module you will have a knowledge of the role of marketing within organisations and within society, and of the principles of marketing management.

Conceptually, the module is divided in two sections. The focus of the first section is to understand what marketing and its role within society. In the first five weeks, you will be introduced to the definition of marketing, the role of marketing within organisations, the value of marketing within organisations and society, the history of marketing, the role of marketing in constructing the consumer society, and the relationship that marketing has with society (i.e. marketing ethics, and sustainability).

We will study both traditional and critical/interpretativist theories of marketing.

In the second half of the module, you will be introduced to foundational topics in marketing management. You will also be introduced to marketing strategy through an brief overview of the 4Ps of marketing - Product, Place, Promotion and Price.

This module is organised around the idea development process, particularly as it relates to generating business ideas, recognising and evaluating business opportunities, and relationships between these concepts. Students will reflect critically on the different definitions, theories and empirical work on business ideas and opportunities, where they come from (e.g., sources of change, trends) and how they are shaped. They will learn how to generate and identify their own business ideas and opportunities using different approaches (e.g., problem or human-centered). Students will also learn how to evaluate these ideas/opportunities, applying both business-focused and person-focused criteria. Using business focused criteria, they will be required to carry out an in-depth feasibility analysis which necessitates research across several areas that are central to the business idea – e.g., the product/service, industry-target market (customer needs), the organization/management and finance. Person-focused criteria will take in to consideration the experience of the student/entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial mindset, background factors and other characteristics.

In this module you will learn the basics of accounting and financial terminology and techniques. By the end of the module you will understand financial reporting and standardised disclosures, the importance of financial strategies, cash flow, and capital budgeting, and be able to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different types of financial data.

This module will give you a good understanding of core marketing management principles and how these are applied to consumers, industrial services and organisations, both from a theoretical and a practical standpoint.

By the end of the module you'll understand the value of a marketing focus to both customer and supplier, and analyse what marketing can contribute to both individual and organisational users.

This course will cover all the topics needed for marketing management and planning. You'll start by analysing strategic tools for marketing strategy definition including segmentation, targeting and positioning.

You'll then analyse the marketing process through a review of the marketing mix principles, for example the 4Ps (Product, Place, Promotion, Price). You'll also explore in detail each one of these tactics.

Theory will be complemented with real-life examples and exercises. You'll also be exposed to case studies analysis to apply the theory into practice.

This module will introduce you to the psychological theories and research on how organisational, team-level and individual characteristics affect productivity and mental health. This module will also consider the limitations of our understanding of these issues and how occupational psychology theory and research is trying to overcome them. 

• Learn central concepts in work-related research design
• Understand the benefits and shortcomings of research methods, from attitudinal (consumer surveys) to experimental
• Understand how management-related and entrepreneurial research is designed, conducted and analysed
• Learn important ethical concerns in conducting research in workplaces and with consumers

This module provides students with some of the theoretical and practical knowledge around how to raise business finance from different sources, manage funds and relations with investors, and harvest, which coincides with the exit strategy of the business and how entrepreneurs/investors can extract economic value from their investment. Students undertaking this module will be introduced to different sources of financing and financiers, and will analyse different strategies for attracting, securing and managing finance which may vary according to business model, business type and amount of financing required. They will learn how to use different tools for managing funds and at different stages of business development (start-up, growth, exit). Using the best available evidence, real-world examples, case studies, guest speakers (e.g., investors, banking professionals), videos, and through weekly in-class practical exercises and pieces of assessment, students will apply their learning to develop strategies for raising and managing entrepreneurial finance.

This module is organised around the concepts and processes relating to the sourcing and management of entrepreneurial finance during the early stages of business development. Through in-depth readings, discussions, and more hands-on practical work, students will learn how to value a new business venture (business valuation techniques) and calculate the amount of money needed to launch/run the business. In the first half of the module, students will evaluate the financing options available to new ventures from internal/personal options (savings, overdrafts, bootstrapping, credit), to more traditional external options (loans versus equity investments) and less traditional financing options such as crowdfunding, microfinance and peer-to-peer lending. Throughout this process they will analyse the risk-reward trade-offs of the different financing types. Students will also critically reflect on the potential barriers to finance for different entrepreneurs/businesses (e.g., women, ethnic minorities, young people) and ways of managing them. In the second half of the module, students will focus more on the processes around raising and managing finance. They will learn about the different cycles of investment, legal agreements around investment, harvesting, pitching to investors, formulating a financial plan and devising a crowdfunding campaign. They will also be introduced to some of the different tools for managing the finances of the new business venture.

• Learn about and critique research on entrepreneurial traits, skills, motivations and behaviours
• Examine different kinds of emotions and how they impact on entrepreneurial behaviours
• Investigate how entrepreneurs differ from non-entrepreneurs with respect to the cognitive processes they employ and how they shape behaviour
• Learn about emergent topics in the field such as entrepreneurial passion, and how entrepreneurs cope with, make sense of, and bounce back from hardships, crises and failure

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the new venture creation process from design and planning, to launch and development, and a deep appreciation for the kinds of decisions that entrepreneurs are required to make at each stage. The purpose of the module is to familiarise students with key aspects of the venture creation process in order to prepare them for starting up their own businesses. This is achieved by combining aspects of business planning with some of the realities of starting up a business. Through readings, case studies, guest speakers, videos, and weekly in-class practical exercises, students will apply their learning by developing a business plan and participating in a business simulation.

This module is organised across two terms and in to two parts. In the first half of the module the emphasis is on the business planning process and understanding the purpose, scope, effectiveness, structure and presentation of the business plan. In this part of the module, students will learn how to clarify the business concept and opportunity, articulate business goals, and set realistic timescales. Focusing on a specific business idea, students will be required to research and write up a business plan which covers aspects of the business concept relating to the management team and personnel (areas/positions to cover, expertise required, recruitment/training plans and costs), market and competition, marketing and sales (segmentation, position, sales methods and forecasting), financial planning and forecasting, the capacity and efficiency of operations, and business exit. They will learn how to craft an executive summary and formulate a business plan that serves both as a road map for staff, and a key tool for attracting finance to the business. They will learn about important legal issues surrounding the new business venture, from the choice of legal entity, to legal agreements (employment contracts, intellectual property), and taxation. They will also discuss the value of, and criticisms around, business planning and how these can be addressed. In the second half of the module, students will participate in a business simulation whereby they will set up and run a business for a simulated number of years. Applying their learning in the first part of the module and developing further their critical thinking and problem solving skills, students will be required to answer questions around sales and marketing, finance, operations and the organisation, and evaluate the consequences of those decisions. Decision-making will be reinforced by research and analysis, using different forms of data and evidence.

• Understand key concepts relating to international business, describe the key players in international business, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of globalization 
• Examine the international business environment and the different dimensions (political, legal, technological and cultural) that affect the operations of international businesses
• Understand the international monetary and financial environment
• Examine different strategies for entering in to foreign markets and analyse organizational design, control and structure in international business contexts

• You'll have access to executives from industry, who'll discuss and debate the merits of different approaches to the management of innovation. Recent speakers have included fashion designer Paul Smith, 'city super woman' Nicola Horlick, and editor of Monocle Tyler Brûlé.
• Learn about a variety of innovation approaches and challenges
• Translate conceptual and theoretical implications of innovation to practical applications
• Understand current and future potential issues reshaping commercial and non-profit practices
• Critically evaluate debates on the value and potential of intersections between disciplines and emerging innovation practices, particularly as these relate to transformation and change
• Understand the challenges and opportunities for applying or piloting early stage digital, media, and marketing in commercial and non-profit organisations

Dissertation work involves carrying out, and writing-up an original research project on a relevant subject of your choice, with guidance and support from a supervisor.

This module serves to critically examine existing research on the content and processes vital to the management and growth of small and entrepreneurial businesses.

It brings together research on the experiences, ambitions and concerns of entrepreneurs and small business owners and elaborates on the different processes and strategies required to develop businesses. This occurs through in-depth readings, interactive in-class discussions, activities, presentations, and individual/group work focused on real businesses.