Course Details in 2020/21 Session

Module Title	LH Business Policy & Entrepreneurship
School	Birmingham Business School
Department	Birmingham Business School
Module Code	07 22966
Module Lead	Nick Potter
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Available to Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, MBA 21mth and 24mth Masters, MBA IBF 21mth and 24mth Masters students and MSc 24mth students as a compulsory module.
Exclusions
Description	The module aims to instruct in the basic techniques of Strategic Analysis. These techniques taken together in sequence comprise the Strategic Audit, which is a systematic analysis of an organisation and its environment with a view to devising future direction. At this stage, more emphasis is placed on a logical, consistent and structured analysis than on some of the more complex issues arising from case studies. The module also provides an introduction to the nature, functions and problems of the small firm, with special reference to entrepreneurialism and issues involved in starting a small business. Small firms are economically important as a source of employment and growth, but many fail relatively quickly. The motives of the founders not only drive the formation but also often prove to be the source of later problems. Entrepreneurial characteristics and behaviour are examined together with the problems of ownership, writing a business plan and managing subsequent growth. Learning by doing is essential to this module and the central theme is to apply components of the analytical framework raised in lectures to the conception and planning of a new business as the group assignment.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Identify and evaluate trends in environmental variables and their impact on the organisation; Utilise analytical techniques including PEST, Porter's Five-Forces, stakeholder analysis, competitor analysis and internal analysis; Analyise and interpret the information in an appropriate situational summary; Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specific nature, function and problems of small firms and the principle causes of early small business failure; Critically appraise the sources of small buiness funding.
Assessment	22966-01 : Group Assignment : Group Assessment - Coursework (40%) 22966-03 : Individual Assignment : Coursework (60%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	5000-word group project 40% 2000 word individual reflective essay 60%.
Other
Reading List