60-70 pages training material
2 levels - common part + specialities for the 2 target groups: entrepreneurs and MSc students

The Strategic Questions training module explores a range of entrepreneurship theories and practices. It involves an in-depth critical examination of business start-ups, the experiences of entrepreneurs and key aspects of small business management.

This training module provides an understanding of the whole organisation. It enables students to develop valued skills and understanding to more effectively compete for jobs and make a more significant contribution in the workplace.
The module enables trainees to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to critically comment on and contribute to the strategies of any organization, especially small businesses. Europeanl relevance is embedded throughout the content, curriculum and case organisations considered throughout this module.

The module has an action-learning focus and makes use of live examples and case studies to inform and enrich teaching, learning and assessment.

Learning outcomes

1. Critically evaluate entrepreneurial characteristics, behaviour and motivations and arrive at informed conclusions relating to current business strategy
2. Assess the nature of the business environment as it affects small business and evaluate business opportunities and threats
3. Evaluate the assumptions underlying the different approaches to the management of strategy to inform strategic action within organisations
4. Critically evaluate risks and ethical considerations involved in decision-making, including consideration of rationality in the decision-making process
5. Evaluate the relevance of creativity and innovation to the entrepreneurship process and to the development of business opportunities for succession and ownership transfer
6. Consider the strategic development of the business and develop an action plan to support leadership and management development and succession planning.

Module content

• The Entrepreneur:
  • Concepts and Evidence
  • The nature, characteristics and behaviour of the Entrepreneur.
  • The entrepreneur as leader.
• The role of Entrepreneurship in the Economy and Society:
  • Analysis of the internal and external influences for Enterprise development
• Entrepreneurship and business development:
  • Marketing and managing SME growth in a global economy.
  • Internationalization Strategies
  • Contextual implications.
  • Competitive forces, market position and competitive advantage and implications for business strategy in small family businesses
• Promoting innovation in small business settings - relevance of resources to the entrepreneur and innovation
• The strategy process managing human resources in achieving strategic goals, core competences and other relevant theories
• Strategic implementation & managing change in small businesses (including practical succession planning).