Module Directory

This module introduces students to key features of the business creation and growth process. The early understanding of the business life cycle, and especially of the progressive elements of new venture creation and innovative growth, is central to the appreciation and critical evaluation of business functions and operations at all levels of enterprise activity.

Business creation and growth are distinctive phases in the business life cycle, but the sustainability of a new venture is to some extent predicated upon the possibility of growth of that venture, through time. Theoretical and conceptual underpinnings to the study of enterprise are informed by the idea of a business evolving from birth to growth.

The aim of this module is:

• To enable students to understand and explore key concepts involved in the business development process, from opportunity identification, evaluation, and implementation, through to continued growth and management. An early grasp of the entrepreneurship should help the student to better prepare for the understanding and application of specific functions.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Understand ‘why’ and ‘how’ people start their own businesses.


2. Identify and analyse business opportunities.


3. Develop new business ideas and test their feasibility.


4. Understand different typologies of new businesses – lifestyle firms versus growth-oriented or entrepreneurial firms.


5. Develop key skills in written communication, use of IT, and improve own learning & performance.


6. Understand stages of organizational development and determinants of firm growth.


7. Understand the functional aspects of business at each stage.


8. Understand the role finance and other factors such as policy decisions play in business start-up and growth.

This module is designed to familiarise students with the theories and practices characterizing business development from both economic and behavioural perspectives. The module covers the business life cycle, from starting a new business to growth and maturity as it is critical for the students to obtain an early overview of the different stages of business activity and the range of functions.

In conjunction with key readings from the core textbook and other recommend readings, a selection of case studies and exercises will be used to help students raise and explore key issues in the business creation and growth process.

This module will cover the business creation process. This structure reflects the organisation of the scheme, and each part will be an appropriate complement to the study of other aspects of business.

The following learning and teaching methods will inform the pedagogic structure of the module:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Discussion of case studies
• Discussion of journal articles
• Class exercises
• Group work
• Signposting to additional resources

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts as mentioned in the indicative module content and will use a range of live examples and cases from business practice and text books to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts. The lectures will follow a weekly format of 1 hour per week for 10 weeks.

Seminars in the form of class exercises will be built into the lectures to develop critical analytical and problem solving skills. Seminars will use a range of activities, such as discussion of case studies from the core text, topical business news items and will involve students working in groups to discuss, reflect on problems and answer questions, present their ideas and thoughts to the class for discussion.