Overview

Entrepreneurs and small firms are the lifeblood of the economy, playing a key role in innovation, employment, and wealth creation. This module explores the nature and importance of entrepreneurship in a historical, economic, and environmental context, with particular attention to the development of small firms. At the same time, corporate social responsibility and business sustainability are increasingly important areas of focus. The module provides insight into the implementation of environmentally sustainable business practices, helping students understand how entrepreneurs can address environmental challenges while enhancing business resilience. Students will be supported to develop their own business idea into a detailed business plan, as well as to pitch it to mock business development advisors. This module provides both valuable entrepreneurial experience and transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers.

Key themes covered may include the role of the entrepreneur within historical, economic, and environmental contexts; the development and unique challenges of business models such as franchises, family businesses, and other forms of entrepreneurship; the policies that support sustainable business practices and how these are implemented; and detailed guidance on constructing a sustainable business plan and understanding its purpose.

Assessment Strategy

Grading Criteria

Threshold - A threshold student should have a basic knowledge of the essential facts and key concepts related to business planning and sustainable business practice. Through the assessment, they should demonstrate a basic ability to synthesise and interpret information, key terms and concepts from lectures and readings, in the defined structured required. Assessments should demonstrate the general capacity to organise acquired knowledge. The quality of oral and written communication will be limited. (Grade C; mark range 50-59%).

Good - A good student should have thorough demonstrable knowledge across all aspects of the module and be able to cite examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think about the environmental considerations of a business and synthesise this with materials from lectures and some information from background reading. Coherent written work should be produced, with clear understanding demonstrated of the topics covered. The quality of oral and written communication will be good. (Grade B; mark range 60-69%).

Excellent - An excellent student should have a high level of understanding and detailed knowledge across all aspects of the module, and be able to detail examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think critically about the subject and specific case studies, to synthesise lecture material and information from extensive background reading in support of a detailed, developed plan. The quality of oral and written communication will be excellent. (Grade A; mark range 70-100%).

Learning Outcomes

• Appraise the realities of setting up a new venture in keeping with environmental concerns and analyse this within the context of various forms of businesses.

• Demonstrate an ability to complete an in-depth high-standard business plan, and be able to tailor it to differing business interests.

• Discriminate between the key environmental factors of business development and the problems faced by small firms in sustainable growth, and recognise the importance and complexity of entrepreneurship and environmentalism within a large firm environment.

• Evaluate the nature of the entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial role in initiation and development of a sustainable business, and the differences between the entrepreneur and the environmental manager.