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

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
• Understand and explain the importance of corporate entrepreneurship for creating and sustaining competitive advantage
• Explore the different creative ways to overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship in established companies
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of a strategies and structures that support entrepreneurial behaviour and promote a company’s entrepreneurial activities
• Think critically about entrepreneurial processes within established organizations.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and coherent lines of argument
• Effectively search, gather and utilize information and knowledge

Indicative reading list

Burns, P. (2020). Corporate entrepreneurship: Innovation and strategy in large organizations (4th 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.
Osterwalder A. Pigneur Y. & Etiemble F. (2020). The invincible company. John Wiley & Sons.
Ratten V. (2020). Entrepreneurship and organizational change : managing innovation and creative capabilities. Springer.

Research element

Students will engage with a body of knowledge, forming critical opinion of suitability and applicability, and balancing different perspectives. Students will learn to be evidence-based, seeking rigour, reliability and repeatability in any analysis they undertake.

Interdisciplinary

Corporate entrepreneurship links strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship

International

Examples will be provided during the module from a range of countries

Subject specific skills

Formulate corporate objectives and strategies that support entrepreneurial behavior.
Apply entrepreneurial process to the operations of a department or functional area within an established enterprise

Transferable skills

Demonstrate improved time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
Demonstrate IT skills