Course outline

The course provides insights into the business economics of entrepreneurship. The course starts with fundamental conceptual frameworks of entrepreneurships and then asks how this informs entrepreneurial outcomes like selection into entrepreneurship and the emergence of entrepreneurial firms. The course continues by discussing strategies for entrepreneurs and the complex art of business modelling. After that, we continue by discussing the key elements of entrepreneurial firms like financial structures, agency and teams. Lastly, students are informed about growth strategies and policies to support entrepreneurship.

Course Delivery

The course is organized in six days divided in three two-day programmes. The first part of the day of a three-hour lecture discusses the more fundamental paradigms associated with the topic. After that, a two-hour workshop setting applies the insights to some contextual issues in a groups assignment. After the course students have a two week period to prepare for the written examination (closes book, open questions).

Course structure

Day 1 (August 24)
Lecture 1: Perspectives on the economics of entrepreneurship
To study: Chapters 1, 2
Workshop 1: Design Thinking and Idea Generation

Day 2 (August 25)
Lecture 2: Business Models and Strategic Entrepreneurial Management
To study: Chapter 3
Workshop 2: Using the Business Model Canvas

Day 3 (September 14)
Topic 3: New Product Development and Lean Launchpad
To study: Chapters 4, 5, 6
Workshop 3: The Five Forces Model and Value Chain Analysis

Day 4 (September 15)
Lecture 4: Entrepreneurial Finance and Protecting IP
To study: Chapters 7, 8, 10, 12
Workshop 4: The Entrepreneurial Team

Day 5 (October 12)
Lecture 5: Growth and Scaling your Business
To study: Chapters 13 and 14
Workshop 5: Pitching and Storytelling

Day 6 (October 13)
Lecture 6: Ecosystems and International Entrepreneurship
Workshop 6: Dragon’s Den on the Course Project

Textbook

Book: Barringer, B. Entrepreneurship: Successfully Launching New Ventures.
There are 5 global editions of this book, the latest in 2016. It is not necessary to have the latest edition, older ones will do as well.

Grading criteria

Group Project (40%), and Final Exam (60%)