TECHCOMM 2001 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

The nature and importance of entrepreneurship; forms of entrepreneurship; the entrepreneurial process; the entrepreneurial mind; creativity, ideas and innovation; screening entrepreneurial opportunities; identifying resources to support entrepreneurial activities; intellectual property issues; accessing finance and other resources; the entrepreneurial team; assessing risk; business structure and ethics; entrepreneurial strategy; finding and reaching customers and marketing innovation; feasibility planning.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TECHCOMM 2001
    Course Foundations of Entrepreneurship
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Prerequisites At least 24 units of undergraduate study
    Course Description The nature and importance of entrepreneurship; forms of entrepreneurship; the entrepreneurial process; the entrepreneurial mind; creativity, ideas and innovation; screening entrepreneurial opportunities; identifying resources to support entrepreneurial activities; intellectual property issues; accessing finance and other resources; the entrepreneurial team; assessing risk; business structure and ethics; entrepreneurial strategy; finding and reaching customers and marketing innovation; feasibility planning.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gary Hancock

    Name: Manjula Dissanayake

    Short Bio:
    Manjula is a researcher in innovation and entrepreneurship at the Entrepreneurship Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC), University of Adelaide. Prior to starting his PhD candidature at the ECIC, he was a founding member with highly successful technology start up companies, one of which was acquired by Symbol Technologies (now a Motorola Company) in 2002. Manjula has worked on innovative projects for leading clients including the Fortune 500 in retail, banking and government sectors across more than 10 countries. Manjula has been a faculty member of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) – Bachelors in Information Systems program where he lectured, mentored and supervised students. He has also been a lecturer for the Accelerating Information Technology Initiative (AITI) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Manjula has co-authored granted US patents in the technology space mainly for the retail industry. He has served on numerous boards of universities and industry chambers including the American Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka. He has presented and chaired sessions at international conferences on Entrepreneurship in USA, Australia and in Sri Lanka and co-authored a book chapter on Entrepreneurship Education in Necessity-based Contexts. Manjula has served the judging panel at international competitions on entrepreneurship where he has also mentored the founders of technology start up companies. He obtained his Bachelors in Information Systems from MMU, UK with a First Class Honours and Masters in Advanced Computing from School of Computing - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Manjula has also obtained his executive management training from Stanford University, USA. He lives in Adelaide with his wife Mano and children Savin and Saheli.

    Email: manjula.dissanayake@adelaide.edu.au

    Phone: +61 (0)8 8313 2561

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Opening intensive:
    Tuesday 11 – Thursday 13 March 2014
    9am-4pm
    Napier 210

    Closing intensive:
    Monday 7 – Wednesday 9th April 2014
    9am-4pm
    Napier 210
     
    Examination:
    Friday 2nd May 2014
    9:30am
    5.01, Level 5 Nexus 10
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    After completion of this course a student will have learned:

    1. The concepts and practice of entrepreneurship
    2. The difference and relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation
    3. How to identify the attitudes, values, characteristics, and processes associated with successful entrepreneurial behaviour
    4. The entrepreneurial process of turning an idea into a viable and sustainable venture and to communicate these ideas and concepts effectively
    5. How to attract resources to take advantage of an opportunity
    6. The importance of building an entrepreneurial team
    7. The legal and ethical issues facing entrepreneurs
    8. The different sources of financing to develop business opportunities
    9. To acquire a wide source of material that facilitates a continual learning process
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4, 5, 8, 9
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 2, 4-6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 3, 4, 6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2, 9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No textbook required.
    Recommended Resources
    The following list of readings replaces a prescribed text for the course. These readings are available for download on MyUni, and you will be referred to further resources within class and on the course website.

    Deakins, David & Freel, Mark 2006, 'The entrepeneur : concepts and evidence', in Entrepreneurship and small firms, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, Maidenhead, pp. 1-24.

    Shane, Scott Andrew 2003, 'The role of opportunities', in A general theory of entrepreneurship: the individual-opportunity nexus, E. Elgar, Northampton, MA, pp. 18-35.

    Timmons, Jeffry A. & Spinelli, Stephen c2009, 'Ch. 3 The Entrepreneurial process -- Ch. 5 The opportunity: creating, shaping, recognizing, seizing', in New venture creation: entrepreneurship for the 21st century, 8th ed., McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Boston, pp. 101-125.

    Mazzarol, Tim 2006, 'Entrepreneurs versus owner-managers: theories of new venture creation', in Small business management: an applied approach, 1st ed., Tilde University Press, Prahan, Vic., pp. 27-61.

    Frederick, Howard H., Kuratko, Donald F. & Hodgetts, Richard M. 2006, 'Intrapreneurship : developing corporate entrepreneurship', in Entrepreneurship: theory, process, practice, Asia Pacific ed. /, Thomson, South Melbourne, pp. 46-65.

    Zimmerer, Thomas W., Scarborough, Norman M. & Wilson, Doug 2007, 'Inside the entrepreneurial mind: from ideas to reality', in Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business management, 5th ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., pp. 41-59.

    Barringer, Bruce R. & Ireland, R. Duane c2008 [i.e. 2007], 'Building a new-venture team', in Entrepreneurship: successfully launching new ventures, 2nd ed., Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, pp. 254-267.

    Hatten, Timothy S. c2006, 'Small business finance', in Small business management: entrepreneurship and beyond, 3rd ed., Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, pp. 249-259.

    Longenecker, Justin Gooderl, Moore, Carlos W., Petty, J. William & Palich, Leslie E. c2006, 'The financial plan, part 2: finding sources of funds', in Small business management: an entrepreneurial emphasis, 13th ed. /, Thomson/South-Western, Mason, OH, pp. 236-249.

    Hisrich, Robert D., Peters, Michael P. & Shepherd, Dean A. 2010, 'Entrepreneurial strategy: generating and exploiting new entries', in Entrepreneurship, 8th ed., McGraw-Hill/Irwin, New York, NY, pp. 64-90.

    Shaw, William H., Barry, Vincent E. & Sansbury, George 2009, 'The nature of morality', in Moral issues in business, 1st ed., Cengage Learning, South Melbourne, Vic., pp. 3-56.

    Bates, Tony c2003, 'Introductory remarks on knowledge, learning and teaching', in Bates, Tony & Poole, Gary, Effective teaching with technology in higher education: foundations for success, 1st ed., Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, pp. 25-45, 283-291.

    Trott, Paul, 'Innovation management: an introduction' 2002, in, Innovation management and new product development, 2nd ed., Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow, pp. 3-30.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self directed study).
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
    Please refer to step by step instructions: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/files/AssignmentStudentSubmission.pdf

    There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:
    • Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
    • Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
    • Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
    • Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
    • Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above) Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.