Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module BUSI4B015: NEW VENTURE CREATION (FT)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI4B015: NEW VENTURE CREATION (FT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2018/19 Module Cap
Tied to N1K017
Tied to N1KC17

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Develop students' understanding of the small business and empathy with the experience of the small business owner.
  • Develop students' understanding of the requirements necessary to create new business ventures.
  • Develop students' skills for working effectively with small business owner-managers and management teams.

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; Interpersonal communication; Oral communication; Teamwork; Planning, organising and time management; Problem solving and analysis; Using initiative; Computer literacy.
  • Written communication; working effectively with others; 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 combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading. The 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. The group presentation will test students' ability to work effectively in collaboration with others and to critically assess the relevance and validity of others' views.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 28
Preparation and Reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Group Project Report Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Project Report 3,000 words (maximum) 100%
Component: Group Presentation Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Presentation 100%
Component: Individual Written Assignment Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual Written Assignment 2,000 words (maximum) 100%

Formative Assessment:

None.


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