Module Directory

The module introduces key strategic issues related to business start-up and growth. Business creation and development process depends on value creation proposition and competitive advantage in the market. This module addresses the issue of how to create value in a complex entrepreneurial environmental process. Building on the resource-based view of business development the module discusses the alternative directions for business development and growth.

The module is designed for tertiary level focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurial strategies. Students need to work individually as well as in a group to analyse entrepreneurial environment and value creation process at different stages of business life cycle. The module will enhance students' knowledge of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial capabilities, resources, value creation process, developing business model, and building entrepreneurial culture by providing strategic direction to the organisation.

The aims of this module are:

• To equip students with necessary analytical and strategic skills to start and grow a successful business.


• To enhance students' understanding of how to design, develop and implement strategic issues to set the direction of a business from start-up stage to high growth performing business. In the start-up and growth process there are different challenges. The module will make students aware of how to overcome the challenges using strategic tools in the real world. Case analysis will play an important role in the module.

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

1. Have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges at different stages of business lifecycle


2. Propose solutions to cope with internal and external strategic challenges and complexities to develop the direction of the business.


3. Develop appropriate strategies to meet the key challenges and dilemmas related issues such as to financing, innovation, product development, market development and business model.


4. Reflect critically the strategic choice, related consequences, and resource implications.

This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 1-hour lecture per week, together with
• Seminars; discussion of case studies; discussion of journal articles; class exercises; unassessed group work; signposting to additional resources etc.

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 to analyse how entrepreneurial strategies are developed and implemented.

Students' engagement in the module will be ensured through a reflective learning method in the seminar period. In the seminar period students will be able to use the concepts the learned in the lecture period. The seminars will focus extensively on cases from strategic entrepreneurship research and selected journal articles. Cases will be drawn from a variety of sources including key peer-reviewed journals and published case books. The seminars will aim to provide support to the students to apply theoretical knowledge to identify business opportunities and challenges and to formulate necessary strategies for the growth and development.

Students will be expected to have read case studies before the seminar sessions. Key issues from the case will be analysed in group discussion. Seminars will also help students to prepare for the examination.