Introductory description

This module represents the confluence of two of the most critical developments in modern business: the growth of digital enterprises and the digital economy; and the importance of digital technologies in the disruption and reshaping of many industries and the creation of new business models. The importance of digital technology in the modern economy is undeniable. Indeed, McKinsey Global Institute have estimated that 98% of the US economy is impacted by digitalisation to some degree (Manyika, 2016). For new business and for the entrepreneur, digital technology offers the transformative potential to reduce costs, increase agility and speed to market, and for “growth hacking” (rapid experimentation based, primarily, on digital tools). In some instances, the integration of digital technology into an organisation’s operations, or the inception of new digital enterprises, can go beyond this to a process of digital disruption, whereby technologies come to entirely reshape the whole industry they are applied to. There are numerous examples of this, including: Amazon and book retailing; Uber and the taxi industry; Airbnb and in hotel and accommodation retailing; and many more. At the same time, there are important concerns and developments in the area of funding for such businesses, and a growing interest in new models of financing such as crowdfunding, investment angels and similar

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

What is a Digital Enterprise? a. Definition and comparison with traditional businesses. b. Case studies.
What is Digital Financing? a. Definition. b. Case studies. c. Identification of opportunities for Digital Financing.
Forming a Digital Entrepreneurship a. Market research and idea development. b. Digital business model development. c. Digital technology development and innovation. d. Funding – including seed funding and crowdfunding.
Growing a Digital Enterprise a. Digital technology development and enhancement. b. Growth and digital hacking. c. Managing a digital enterprise. d. Continuous deployment. e. Innovation, dispersion and diversification.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of digital entrepreneurship and digital disruption
• Critically evaluate relevant case studies to determine best practices and strategic models
• Critically evaluate markets and industries, and identify opportunities for disruption and innovation.
• Demonstrate a thorough comprehension of, and an ability to apply best practice in digital entrepreneurship.
• Create the financial elements of business case proposals for e-opportunities including financial appraisals.
• Create, evaluate and develop a digital business model including the financial elements of an e-businesses cost structure, revenue generation/pricing and its value proposition

Indicative reading list

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

A mixture of technology/computing topics and business topics

International

Topics are of high international demand

Subject specific skills

Industry analysis skills, technology analysis and identification of relevant applications in a variety of business contexts , an ability to apply best practice in the growth hacking, rapid product development and continuous deployment., the ability to design and develop a convincing business model, financing models for entrepreneurship, digital financing

Transferable skills

Business strategy development, financial analysis, presentation skills, teamwork, research, creative thinking