Entrepreneurship

The fundamental objective of this course is to explore current trends in entrepreneurship research as well as examine and evaluate research gaps in the field of technology-based entrepreneurship to better explain entrepreneurial phenomena in different settings. Participants will develop their own research idea in a term paper by applying different theory lenses and concepts. Therefore, the seminar includes literature studies, preparations of research concepts, and the state of the art in entrepreneurship literature. The course contributes to understand the emergence of entrepreneurial processes and how new insights in entrepreneurship research enable the implementation of new services, products, or processes.

In this module, students deal with the economic significance of entrepreneurship and the role of the entrepreneur. The main focus is on founding a company (entrepreneurship), but also on entrepreneurial action in existing companies (intrapreneurship). In this module, entrepreneurs are related to top athletes. Entrepreneurial success and success in top-class sport are partly based on similar personal resources and ways of acting. By comparing entrepreneurs and top athletes, students gain a deeper understanding of the success factors of entrepreneurial action.

This course introduces various qualitative and quantitative research methods which are particularly relevant for entrepreneurship and management research, whether in an academic or corporate setting. Some examples of such methods are comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, expert surveys, qualitative content analysis, quantitative data analysis, group concept mapping, and choice modelling. In this way, the course is set up to introduce and facilitate the application of these exploratory research methods for different units of analysis, such as individuals (e.g., entrepreneurs and managers), actors (e.g., start-ups, established companies and research institutions), or the entire ecosystems. Where applicable, students will become acquainted with relevant software and databases to apply the methods to their own research in the field of entrepreneurship.

Rationale for the existence of banks, specifics of banks’ services and business models as well as changes in the competitive environment, business models of new entrants in the financial services sector, specifics in business model development and business plan preparation for financial technology companies.

In the seminar, an innovation challenge of a company is examined within the framework of a project work. This means that the topic to be worked on has a strong practical relevance.

Working on selected problems from the field of entrepreneurship in cooperation with practice partners.

This course brings together key learnings about business model innovation for established firms as well as for science and technology-based ventures. This course teaches creating and validating a comprehensive business model, that is, the architecture that specifies the mechanisms of value proposition, creation and capture for emerging venturing ideas as well as for established organisations that intend to renew their business models.

Neue Technologie-Start-ups sind wichtig für eine nachhaltige Transformation der Zukunft. Universitäten, wie die forschungsstarke RUB, bieten ein großes Potenzial für die Generierung neuer Technologien, doch nur wenige Ideen finden den Weg in die Praxis. Hier setzt dieses Modul an und zielt darauf ab, Studierende in die Lage zu versetzen, ihre Ideen in die Praxis umzusetzen, indem eine Geschäftsidee in ein erfolgreiches Geschäftsmodell überführt wird.

The focus of this course relates to the ability of organizations to innovate, including the tools, frameworks, processes, strategies, and structures that are relevant. Thus, this course will provide a detailed overview of strategic technology and innovation management tools, explore how these tools help to support and design the management of innovative projects and organizations, assist in the creation of an innovation-oriented and innovation-supporting environment, and facilitate the development and evaluation of appropriate strategies for the implementation of new product and technology development processes. Discussion of how to appropriately utilize tools for the development and implementation of strategic technology and innovation concepts in the context of specific industries receives specific emphasis, by means of case-study discussions, in-class assignments, and guest lectures.

Die Sicherung einer guten wissenschaftlichen Praxis bildet das Fundament für qualitativ hochwertige und anerkannte Forschung. Deshalb werden die Studierenden in diesem Seminar grundlegend an wissenschaftliches Arbeiten, am Beispiel der Entrepreneurship- und Innovationsforschung, herangeführt. Hierzu werden den Studierenden der Aufbau sowie die Struktur wissenschaftlicher Texte dargestellt und die Grundlagen systematischer Literaturrecherche und Literaturverwaltungsprogramme (bspw. Citavi) vermittelt. Außerdem wird dargestellt, wie ein Thema einzugrenzen und Forschungsfragen zu definieren sind. Studierende lernen formale Richtlinien des wissenschaftlichen Schreibens sowie Zitierens und Kriterien zur Bewertung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten kennen. Zudem werden Präsentationstechniken gezeigt, welche die Vermittlung wissenschaftlicher Inhalte unterstützt. Neben der Erstellung und Präsentation eigener Inhalte werden Studierende ihr erlerntes Wissen transferieren, indem sie Peer-Feedback geben und die Moderation einer Präsentation durchführen.