Introductory description

Companies increasingly realize that creating and sustaining a competitive edge requires them to think and act like entrepreneurs. The concept of corporate entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship refers to the development of new ideas and opportunities within established businesses, leading to improved profitability and an enhanced competitive position.

Module web page

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.

This module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to corporate entrepreneurship.
• Forms, pre-conditions and antecedents of corporate entrepreneurship.
• Obstacles to and risks of corporate entrepreneurship.
• The impact of corporate strategy and structure on intrapreneurship.
• Corporate spin-offs and corporate venture capital.
• Building supportive organizational cultures.
• Human resource management and corporate entrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the entrepreneurial process within an established enterprise.
• Appreciate the importance of corporate entrepreneurship for creating and sustaining competitive advantage.
• Explore the different creative ways to overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship in established companies.
• Develop a deep understanding of a strategies and structures that support entrepreneurial behaviour and promote a company's entrepreneurial activities.
• Become familiar with framing and presenting new business ventures in a way that makes them attractive to various corporate audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically about entrepreneurial processes within established organizations.
• Develop problem-solving skills.
• Develop coherent lines of argument.

Indicative reading list

Burns, P. 2013. Corporate entrepreneurship: Innovation and strategy in large organizations (3rd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hisrich, R. D. & Kearney, C. 2012. Corporate entrepreneurship: How to create a thriving entrepreneurial spirit throughout your company. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Kuratko, D. F., Morris, M. H., & Covin, J. G. 2011. Corporate innovation & entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial development within organizations (3rd ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Morris, M. H, Kuratko, D.F. and Covin, J.C. (2008), Corporate Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2nd Edition, Mason, Oh: Thomson/Southwestern Publishing.

Subject specific skills

Gain valuable practical experience in formulating corporate objectives and strategies that support entrepreneurial behaviour.
Experience the practical aspects of applying entrepreneurial process to the operations of a department or functional area within an established enterprise.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate the ability to successfully work in teams in a multicultural and diverse setting.
Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect, negotiate with other group members, and deal with conflict in a constructive way.
Enhance research skills and the ability to effectively search, gather and utilize information and knowledge.
Improve time management skills as well as the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
Develop IT skills.