The focus of this class is on the growth and development process of the firm from start-up to multinationality.

6 x 2 hour lectures over 6 weeks.

3 x 2 hour tutorials.

None

The course will be assessed through two formal pieces of assessed work supported by a formative learning process as discussed in section below. The two formal items of assessment are: a group presentation and report (25%) and an individual report of up to 2,500 words (75%).

The focus of this class is on the growth and development process of the firm from start-up to multinationality. The theories underpinning this course are grounded in entrepreneurship, innovation and internationalisation and emphasise process and development. The skill-set extends across processes and decisions relating to opportunity recognition, business start-up, innovation and commercialisation, planning for international growth and the internationalisation process. The aim of the course is to lead students towards an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the international growth and development process of firms from the time of their inception through to maturity as established international firms, with the emphasis on the early stages of international development for new venture and young firms. Conventional internationalisation theory is challenged through discussion of rapidly internationalising firms, international new ventures and the born-global phenomenon. Much of the course focuses on the process of innovation, strategies and modes of foreign market entry and planning for internationalisation. Coursework and the examination will draw on cases and/ virtual company based projects to integrate theory and praxis in internationalisation. The focus of this class is on small firms at early stages in their international growth and development process.

On completion, students will also be able to:

■ Explain and evaluate extant knowledge on the internationalisation process of the firm and identify its drivers and manifestations.

■ Outline key theories of entrepreneurship acknowledging the tensions and complementarities between creativity and strategic planning in opportunity recognition in international markets.

■ Demonstrate the knowledge of processes of business venturing, innovation and internationalisation and their interdependence in small, new firms and explain differences in the incidence of business start-up across countries.

■ Apply and evaluate different foreign market entry strategies and modes of cross-border business activity, on criteria such as; risk, commitment, investment, and flexibility, in relation to specific firms, industries and technologies.

■ Evaluate firms for resources, capabilities and competencies associated with sustainable success and competitiveness, and match these with foreign market opportunities.

■ Integrate theory with practice through development of an international business planning project.

■ Research and interpret information relevant to the international exploitation of a technology-based, or management process based innovation.

■ Solve selected problems relating to the entrepreneurial process of innovation, internationalisation, risk-taking and proactive planning.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.