Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Module title | Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
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Module code | BEM1034 |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Katie Ledingham (Lecturer) Dr Robert Pearce (Lecturer) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 10 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 300 |
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Module description
This module serves as an introduction to entrepreneurship and innovation theory and practice. It delivers foundational knowledge in these subjects. You will build your creative confidence through engaging in immersive workshops focused on design thinking, ideation and prototyping, all within the context of the circular economy and sustainability-oriented approaches to innovation. The module addresses contemporary global issues such as environmental change and inequity, examining how entrepreneurs are innovating to tackle these pressing problems. The module combines online lectures with in-person project-based workshops, where you'll engage in human-centred design practices to co-create impactful entrepreneurial solutions for people and planet.
The module will complement any degree of study helping the student to acquire contemporary knowledge and skills for today’s business world:
· No prior knowledge/skills or experience is required
· No pre-requisite or co-requisite modules are required
· This module is suitable for non-specialist students
· This module is strongly recommended for interdisciplinary pathways;
Module aims - intentions of the module
An Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship aims to equip students with a strong introductory knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship and how these subjects interrelate. Through exploring the histories, primary theories, and frameworks, the student will be introduced to a series of organisations and characters that serve as examples of theory in action. The module will take a critical view and place contemporary global challenges and risks at the heart of the learning.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically evaluate and reflect on major concepts and theories that underpin contemporary practices and debates in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship
- 2. Apply innovation and entrepreneurship theories and frameworks to real-life scenarios/practices
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Evaluate innovation and entrepreneurships contribution to societal and economic growth in relation to responsible and sustainable business
- 4. Demonstrate the connection between creativity, technology, and the transition towards a circular economy.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop a human-centred design approach for project work and relational strategies for thriving in high-performance team environments.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will consider all or some of the following core themes:
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Definitions of entrepreneurship and innovation
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Introduction to entrepreneurship and innovation theory and frameworks
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Introduction to the Circular Economy
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Types of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship
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Innovation strategies
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Design thinking
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Prototyping
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Entrepreneurship and innovation case study review and analysis
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Skills for assignment completion
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Managing uncertainty and risks
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Innovating in a sustainable and responsible manner
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Understanding the human-technology interface
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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28 | 122 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 10 | Online delivered lecture content via ELE |
Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 18 | Workshops |
Guided independent study | 122 | Preparing for workshops and preparation for formative and summative assessments |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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In workshop critiques of project | During workshops | 1-5 | Verbal |
Group walk-through talk-through presentations | During workshops | 1-5 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Group circular prototype | 30 | Science fair pin-up + innovation | 1-5 | Verbal and written feedback |
Individual A1 poster | 30 | A1 poster board for science fair | 1-5 | Verbal and written feedback |
Individual presentation/project outline | 20 | 5 min presentation | 1-5 | Verbal and written feedback |
Individual presentation/project summary | 20 | 2-minute presentation at science fair | 1-5 | Verbal and written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Group circular prototype (30%) | Individual reflective essay (750-word, 30%) | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Individual A1 poster (30%) | A1 poster board for science fair 30% | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Individual presentation/project outline (20%) | 500-word report on ELE content (20%) | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Individual presentation/project summary (20%) | 500-word reflective essay on process (20%) | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e., a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Bessant, J., and Tidd, J. (2015). Innovation and entrepreneurship. John Wiley & Sons.
- Goffin, K., and Mitchell, R. (2016). Innovation Management: Effective Strategy and Implementation. Bloomsbury Academic.
- Neck, H.M., Neck, C.P. and Murray E.L. (2020). Entrepreneurship: The practice and mindset. Sage Publications.
- Nielson, S., Klyver, K., and Evald, M.R. (2021). Entrepreneurship in theory and practice: paradoxes in play (Third Edition). Edward Elgar.
- Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup. Penguin.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- MIT Technology Review, Collection on Humans and Technology
- Harvard Business Review, Collection on Disruptive Innovation
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
None
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 4 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 18/08/2022 |
Last revision date | 17/01/2025 |