MMM042-Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Anlan Chen
Email: a.chen@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a large share of our economies and a leading force in the economic development of nations. This module focuses on such enterprises and explores the distinctive features of management and entrepreneurialism in the SME environment. 

Growth in SMEs is an important factor and this module will examine how, via a case of an existing business, to understand the current situation and challenges and how to find an opportunity for that firm to grow. Your reasoning will be explained in a Business Growth Plan.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the distinctive features of management in the SME environment, its complexity, the additional challenges and risks related to the small dimension, but also its advantages.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the impact of size on the management of businesses, from their ability to raise finance to their ability to undertake R&D and innovate, to their marketing and internationalisation strategies. By the end of the module students are expected to be able to question relevant theories deriving from research on large corporations and apply this body of knowledge to SMEs.

Intended learningoutcomes: 

At the end of the module students are expected to be able to prepare and present a Business Growth Plan for a case study firm. This is not a purely financial plan, but the financing of the intended growth and sales expectations will need to be demonstrated. Moreover, they are expected to achieve a critical understanding of the importance of SMEs in contemporary economies, and their strengths and weaknesses as compared to large enterprises.

Additional outcomes:

Students will work both independently, and in groups, leading to the development of time-management and team working skills. They should be able to organise materials and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both under timed conditions and in assessed coursework assignments.

Outline content:

The module discusses the concept and various aspects of entrepreneurship and small business management, e.g., factors leading to new business formation and the importance of the small business sector in our economies. Researching the viability of a business growth idea and preparing an analytical report is an important component of the module.

Various strategic aspects of SME management will be discussed, such as operation, finance, marketing, culture, structure, and patterns of business organisations. The module is organised thematically and for each topic empirical examples are drawn.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module consists of lectures (10x2) and seminars (2x2). The main topics of the syllabus are covered in the lectures. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with key readings and contribute to the lectures, sharing their ideas and relevant work experience.

Seminars enable students to work in groups on their business growth analysis. Invited experts  contribute to the programme by sharing knowledge and discussing experiences in small business management.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Group presentation of the analysis of the chosen case study company (40% with opportunity for individual mark). Submit week 28.

Individual Business Growth Plan (60%) of 2,000 words to be submitted by week 30.

Formative assessment methods:

Presentation based on the case analysis (group work)

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark is 50%+.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment is by individual project only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023