2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5536M Small Business Growth

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Prof. Nigel Lockett
Email: n.lockett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will introduce you to the concepts of growing a small business and the planning, resourcing and implementation that a growth strategy requires. Your learning will be supported through interactive workshops, case studies and reflective exercises through which you will have the opportunity to consider your own growth potential.

Objectives

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to explore growth strategies in the context of their venture (or case study) and understand their own skills and attributes in managing business growth.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
- Critique enterprise and entrepreneurship theories and concepts using techniques relevant to the discipline
- Critically evaluate the potential of business activities to deliver negative social and environmental impacts
- Engage in entrepreneurial activity (in their own enterprise or in other places of work) resulting in the creation of economic and/or social value
- Evaluate the viability and applicability of different ethical, social and sustainable approaches to enterprise

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Take a proactive and self-reflective role in a group setting
- Creatively formulate, evaluate and communicate ideas to peers, tutors and others

Subject specific
- Apply project management skills in the execution of individual and group tasks

Syllabus

Indicative content
Understanding an organisation's background and core values
Why should businesses grow and how far is too far?
Measuring business growth
Opportunities for growth
Understanding the consequences of growth (1): Competitors
Understanding the consequences of growth (2): Risk audit
Resourcing business growth (1): Finances
Resourcing business growth (2): People, space and other resources
How to organise for growth (1): Planning
How to organise for growth (2): Implementing processes
Leading small business growth

Learning will be supported through interactive workshops, case studies and reflective exercises through which students will have the opportunity to consider their own growth potential.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	11	2.00	22.00
Tutorial	3	1.00	3.00
Private study hours			125.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students will be expected to read the academic literature, newspapers and online media relating to small business growth. (11 x 5 hours reading in preparation for workshops [55[).

Student groups will also work on applying their knowledge to a specific case study (20 hours) and prepare individual assessments (39 hours).

Throughout, students will be required to keep up-to-date with an online (VLE) class blog/discussion board in between sessions (11x1 hours [11]).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance will be expected at every session, and non-attendance without good reason followed up. Issues will be addressed during the interactive sessions. Personal development and progression through the course will be monitored through online class blogs.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 word Business Growth Plan	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/01/2016

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