ENTREP 1000 - Business Lifecycles

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course uses a lifecycle perspective of the firm to develop students' understanding of the interrelated nature of the different business disciplines required to establish and grow a business successfully. With the use of an online business simulation game, student groups compete with each other in growing a business in a virtual world while learning about the role of entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, finance, business structures, management, accounting, taxation, and exit and succession planning. The course will appeal to those who are interested in starting up and/or owning a business, managing a business, as well as those intending in becoming business advisors, leaders or policymakers.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENTREP 1000
    Course Business Lifecycles
    Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible COMMGMT 3005, ENTREP 1000AUACM, ENTREP 1000BUACM, ENTREP 1000OUA
    Assessment Simulation, tests, multiple choice quizzes and reflective journal
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mark Evans

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Describe the different stages of the lifecycle of a business and explain the role and interrelated nature of the major business disciplines (entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, finance, accounting, management & law) required to lead a business through its lifecycle stages.
    2. Applying concepts from the major business disciplines, analyse information and make decisions holistically to lead a business through its lifecycle stages.
    3. Reflect on the interpersonal skills and processes required to work effectively in a team environment.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2 & 3

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Longenecker, J.G., Petty, J.W., Palich, L.E. and Hoy, F. (2022) Small Business Management: Launching and Growing Entrepreneurial Ventures (20th ed.), Cengage, Boston, MA.
    Recommended Resources

    Library Resources
    The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. Access to the Library's electronic resources.

    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.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    1. Lectures (1 hour per week): Overview of topic concepts
    2. Workshops (2 hours per week): The workshops provide students with the opportunity to clarify concepts and principles introduced in the lectures. Students should come prepared for each tutorial class. This includes undertaking the prescribed reading and attempting the discussion questions for that topic. In each workshop, there will be opportunities for students to meet up with their allocated team members to work on their Online Business Simulation group assignment.
    Workload

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

    Over the whole semester, students are expected to devote an average of 12 hours per week to studying this course.

    This means that, in addition to watching lectures and attending workshops, you are expected to commit an average of 9 hours per week of private study over the duration of the semester.

    Private study will be required to prepare for the intensive classes (reading, preparing responses to workshop questions) as well as for completing assessment tasks
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction and overview of course
    • Assessment requirements
    • Course schedule and expectations
    TOPIC 1: The business landscape & new venture creation
    Week 2 TOPIC 2: Alternative pathways for entry into business
    Week 3 TOPIC 3: Strategic planning, business models and business plans
    Week 4 TOPIC 4: Developing a marketing plan
    Week 5 TOPIC 5: Using accounting information to assess financial performance and position
    Week 6 TOPIC 6: Financing the business
    Week 7 TOPIC 7: Strategies for growth - products, distribution channels, and International markets
    Week 8 TOPIC 8: Leading and managing growth and transitions
    Week 9 TOPIC 9: Business law fundamentals
    Week 10 TOPIC 10: Business tax fundamentals
    Week 11 TOPIC 11: Maturity and Exit – renewal vs. failure; sale vs. succession
    Week 12 Summary and conclusion
  • 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Length Weighting Learning Outcome
    Engagement & participation Individual N/A 10% 1, 2
    Weekly Content & Skills Evaluation Individual 20 MCQ per online quiz 30% 1, 2
    Individual Reflection Individual 3 journal entries @ 400-500 words each 30% 3
    Mikes Bikes Online Simulation Game Group  1 -2 hours per week 30% 2
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students should be aware that considerable knowledge and skills will be taught at lectures and tutorials. Therefore, students should attend all classes and view all pre-recorded lectures in order to pass the course.

    Course results may be subject to moderation by the Assessment Review Committee.
    Assessment Detail
    Engagement & Participation
    Your ability to develop your professional potential and business acumen is dependent on your ability to learn. Long-term and holistic learning, the kind that sticks with you, can only be achieved when you fully engage yourself meaningfully in the workshop activities. For each of the assessed workshops (those held in weeks 3 to 12 of the semester), you will be awarded 0, ½ or 1 mark (maximum of 10/10) based on your level of participation and engagement in the workshop.

    Weekly Content & Skills Evaluation
    A weekly quiz (consisting of 20 MCQs) that examines both content and skills introduced in the course's 11 topics.

    Individual Reflection
    Working in a team can be a challenge, particularly when working with others who you don’t know or have different values, experiences and interests to you. The purpose of the individual reflective journal entries is for you to reflect on the interpersonal skills and processes required to work effectively in a team environment based on your experience in working in a team to complete the Mikes Bikes Online Simulation Game (outlined below).

    Mikes Bikes Online Simulation Game
    This online simulation game provides a ‘real-world’ hands-on experience of some of the issues that owners face when managing and growing a small business in a competitive environment. This assessment is undertaken as a group exercise that will run throughout the semester.
    Submission

    All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni:

    • Assignment Submission: Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both).
    • Cover Sheet: Please include in the assignment a completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet (found in MyUni, under Modules) 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.
    • Assessment extensions request: An application for Assessment Extension should be made 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 medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances. See sections 3 and 7a) i. in particular on assessment extensions in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment (MACA) Policy.
    • 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.
    • Resubmission: of an assignment after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted. Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.
    • Appealing a mark or grade: If you are dissatisfied with your mark or grade, you may request a review or re-mark. There must be academic or procedural reasons for your request, so you can’t simply request a re-mark because you are disappointed with your result. For more information on the process see Assessment Grievance: Appealing a mark or grade
    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.