Units
Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship
Unit code: MGN534
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The unit introduces the students to the field of entrepreneurship research and the problems, theories and methods that are prevalent in (empirical) research on entrepreneurship. Students learn to "know the field" including its historical development; its "infrastructure" of journals, conferences and research centres, and its contemporary research questions and approaches. The students will develop an ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the field and gain insights into where and how they can contribute to its research frontier.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Offered in these courses
- BS92, IF49
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Entrepreneurship is a very important social phenomenon and a rapidly growing area of academic research and teaching. Therefore, all Ph.D.'s in business and economics benefit from having a thorough orientation in this area. For research students specializing the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation this is an indispensable unit. As entrepreneurship is what takes organisations, industries and markets from non-existence to becoming such entities as they appear in traditional theories, students in other areas of business and economics benefit from this course by strengthening their insights into the phenomenon of emergence.
Aims
The unit aims to introduce the students to the field of entrepreneurship research to such a level that they understand where and how they can to the research frontiers of this field.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Recount some of the historical development of entrepreneurship research as well as some of its current sub-topics
2. Know where to find and disseminate top class entrepreneurship research
3. Assess the relevance, quality and currency of a piece of entrepreneurship research
4. Select appropriate research questions, theories and methodological approaches for making an independent contribution to the research frontier in entrepreneurship research.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit builds on extensive self-study individually or in groups. The material will be discussed thoroughly at instructor-lead discussion seminars. During seminars the students will also make presentations that are designed as training for future conference presentations of their own work.
Assessment
The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:
· Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
· Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
Assessment name:
Discussion seminars
Description:
Thorough preparation through reading and critical reflection is expected to underlie active and interesting contributions to class discussions
Type: Participation in discussion seminars
Formative or Summative: Formative & Summative.
Relates to objectives:
Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL Goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1) (3.2), TW (4.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
On-going
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Students select a sub-topic and get their selection approved by the instructor. Search and read articles about this sub-topic. Review the approaches and findings in research on this sub-topic in the paper and in your presentation.
Length/Duration: 3000 words plus 20 min presentation
Formative or Summative: Summative.
Relates to objectives:
Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL Goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), (3.2), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Individual Journals Assignment
Description:
The student selects a recent (08-011) volume (not just an issue) of an entrepreneurship journal and has that selection approved by the instructor and prepares firstly an overview of all articles and secondly a summary of the 'best' article(s) found. Prepare a 20 minute oral presentation (i.e., conference length) of that 'best' paper as were it your own and you were presenting at a research conference.
Length/Duration:Paper approximately 3000 words plus 20 min presentation
Formative or Summative: Formative & Summative.
Relates to objectives:
Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL Goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), (3.2), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 8
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Readings as set by Unit Coordinator.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 18-Jan-2013
