Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Employability skills assessed

Employability skills assessed:

C1:     Reading, selecting, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources

C2:     Producing different types of document
C3:     Participating in discussions
LP1:     Develop a strategy for using a range of skills to improve own learning and performance
IT1:     Preparing information
IT2:     Processing and presenting information
IT3:     Reviewing the use of information technology
LP2:     Review and Critically Reflect on Progress
LP3:     Evaluate overall effectiveness of strategy and present achievements
N1:     Collecting and recording data
N2:     Working with data
N3:     Presenting your findings
PS1:     Develop a strategy for using skills in problem solving, for a short-term routine problem and a longer term extended problem.
PS2:     Monitor progress and adapt any problem solving strategy as necessary to achieve the quality of outcomes required when tackling one complex problem with at least three options.
PS3:     Evaluate your overall strategy considered in PS2 and consider improvements.
S1:     Plan personal work schedules
S2:     Monitor and manage progress on prolonged tasks
S3:     Review achievement of objectives and the effectiveness of your own self-management skills

 Working towards identified targets

Learning outcomes assessed:    

LO1: Understand the dynamic of business management issues in the contemporary global business environment 

LO2: Critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary management issues by synthesizing relevant theories 
LO3: Assess and critically evaluate the significance of contemporary change and the impacts on decisions, behaviours, human capital and the organisation configuration 
LO4: Critically analyse and evaluate an organisational situation and change so as to inform and improve performance and enhance value 
LO5: Evidence highly developed autonomous learning skills, problem solving and the ability to clearly and appropriately communicate findings and recommendations.

TASK DESCRIPTION – Individual Essay

Read the article: “Causation and Effectuation: Toward A Theoretical Shift from Economic Inevitability to Entrepreneurial Contingency” by Sarasvathy.

This can be accessed on the following link:

Contemporary debates on entrepreneurship and innovation challenge the traditional model of entrepreneurship. Critically evaluate the view that Sarasvathy’s seminal article  represents an important strand in entrepreneurship research and gives us a novel perspective on the development of new ventures. Use business examples to illustrate your discussion.

LENGTH REQUIRED

1500 words.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1.Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
2.Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3.Document format: Essay
4.Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a reference using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
5.Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive. 

Working towards identified targets

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.

Marking criteria and Student FEEDBACK 

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.
Common Assessment Criteria Applied    Marks available    Marks 
Awarded
1. Research-informed Literature
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.   
        
2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.     
        
3. Analysis

Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of ideas and evidence
        
4. Practical Application and Deployment

Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.         
        
5. Skills for Professional Practice

Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation. 
        

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the UoS Assessment Board.  These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )    72 Hour Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate) 

GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Level 6

In accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 6 students should have coherent and detailed knowledge and a systematic understanding of their subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline. They will be able to accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline, using their conceptual understanding to devise and sustain arguments and/or to solve problems. They should be aware of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge. They should be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions.

They will apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects. They will have the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline). They will demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.