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BMGT43480

Academic Year 2026/2027

Entrepreneurship: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations (BMGT43480)

Subject:
Business Management
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Rory O'Shea
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module focuses on theory building and empirical testing of the factors shaping the identification, evaluation, and development of entrepreneurial opportunities and new venture ideas. The aim of module is to provide students with an advanced understanding of the frameworks that underlie the evolutionary stages of the entrepreneurship process. For this module, students will be exposed to a synthesis of the body of thought on entrepreneurship through lectures, presentations, assigned readings, as well as case illustrations.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will have:
1). Developed knowledge of, and insight into, theories in the field of entrepreneurship.
2). Acquired the ability to critically analyse and evaluate theories and empirical evidence in the field of entrepreneurship.
3). Developed the ability to synthesise the literature and integrate knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship.
4). Developed an understanding of the various policies and programmes that are used to accelerate sustainable entrepreneurship in regions.
5). Developed the ability to communicate with others about other theories and research on entrepreneurship.

Indicative Module Content:

The central topics that will be reviewed in this module include the following:

- The Nature, Foundations and Value of Entrepreneurship
- Theoretical perspectives of Entrepreneurship
- Creativity and Innovation
- Entrepreneurial Decision Making
- Role, Sources and Forms of Entrepreneurial Opportunities
- Opportunity Evaluation and Entrepreneurial Decision Making
- Role of Entrepreneurs: Skills, Motives, and Characteristics
- Psychology of the Entrepreneur and the Decision to Pursue Opportunity
- Assembly of Resources
- Legal Aspects of New Ventures and Intellectual Property
- Managing and Building the New Venture: Motivation, Entrepreneurship Leadership.
- Strategies for Attaining Growth.
- Enterprise Policy

Al Policy. AI Permitted for Limited Support
Students may use AI tools for limited support in this module (e.g. idea generation, practice questions or as a study aid). Students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their work. Any use of AI must be cited appropriately

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Expert

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 3

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 4
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

160
Lectures

36
Total

236

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will combine theoretical and experiential learning through the use of lectures, case studies, individual projects, video excerpts and class discussions.

AI Policy: AI Permitted for Limited Support

Students may use AI tools for limited support in this module (e.g. idea generation, practice questions or as a study aid). Students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their work. Any use of AI must be cited appropriately.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): The End of Term assessment for this module will be a 2 hour end of term closed book examination assessment. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
80
 No
Individual Project: As a part of the module assessment strategy, students will be expected to create and deliver a presentation based on an assigned research article. Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Post-Assessment feedback of individual assessment will be delivered via in-class meetings using rubrics.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 12:50
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