MSc Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

This class is important in terms of presenting an introduction for MSc students to the entrepreneurial process, from creative thinking to the development of a new business concept. This class has further thematic additions based on consultation with industry, specifically prototyping and storyboarding.

Mindsets are at the core of everything that people think and do. Therefore, if we want to steer entrepreneurial behaviour towards success, we need to start by shaping the mindsets of those who start ventures.  From government agencies to investment panels, entrepreneurial mindsets are quickly becoming the buzzword that everyone wants to know about.  But what are those mindsets? And when are they a force for good or otherwise?

In this research-based class, you'll be exposed first hand to the daily struggles and successes of early-stage entrepreneurs and will be tasked with assessing their mindsets, how those mindsets are shaped by context and how, in turn, they shape the behaviour of the entrepreneur. You'll take a fascinating journey through the latest academic thinking on mindsets and will apply that thinking to the practice you observe in the entrepreneurs you will be following. Theory and practice will inform each other as you discover the often hidden power of the mind on human fears, goals, failures and achievements.

This module provides a firm foundation in scholarly, practitioner and policy perspectives for "mega-trends" in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology. This is a student-driven class, where you'll develop research and presentation skills, and learn about cutting-edge developments such as digital health technology, the sharing economy and social innovation, while also learning how entrepreneurial ecosystems function.

As increasing volumes of data are collected and made available to the public, identifying opportunities through analysis of data is a necessary skill for the contemporary entrepreneur. This course will empower students with a range of different analytic methods and software tools that will allow them to successfully identify high-value data-drive entrepreneurial opportunities.

This module is designed to build knowledge of the processes underpinning innovation. The class will provide an introduction to the main concepts and frameworks related to definitions, processes, strategies, organisation and sources of innovation. Towards the end of the class, new trends in innovation, such as social innovation and frugal innovation, will also be covered.

Entrepreneurial leadership is distinct and different from leadership found in large corporates. (Röschke, 2018). Entrepreneurial leaders tend to be more adept at exploring and exploiting opportunities in the marketplace and dealing with constant change and competition.

This module will help participants better understand their own leadership style and also understand the key characteristics and behaviours of entrepreneurial leaders. Entrepreneurial management shows similarities to management functions in established organisations – strategic planning, marketing, etc. However, is it really necessary in a start-up situation? This module will explore the importance of entrepreneurial management and how start-ups and SMEs can benefit from having a programmed approach to growing the business.

This class addresses how startups and small businesses source and manage finances. Finance is a core function within most organisations and is especially pivotal for startups and SMEs that need to carefully navigate to survive and grow. The class is a core Semester 2 module. It builds on Semester 1 modules that address the foundational elements required to develop a promising new business concept (e.g. Creativity and New Venture Planning, Innovation, Entrepreneurial Mindset, etc.) by bringing in the finance toolkit required to make a successful business out of a good idea.

There is a growth in the number of entrepreneurs starting businesses with social and environmental purposes. This module examines ideas and practices for addressing social needs. These include social enterprises, collaborative innovation networks, hubs, digital platforms, and support intermediaries. The module is centred around how students can start their own social entrepreneurship projects. The module will consist of a selection of presentations and discussions around social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

The educational aim of this class is for students to understand how they can enact social impact through organisational strategy. The purpose of this class to develop students into organisational leaders who approach strategy with a social lens. Where social impact is not simply a CSR exercise but is embedded in the organisational outcomes and activities.

The class responds to the need for developing skills for innovation at a global scale when social needs and sustainability-driven priorities with potential for impact are considered by organisations. It seeks to create the space for participants to gain a rich, informed view about underlying challenges at global scale, prototype alternative solutions via high level scenarios and create routes into impact through supporting a real organisation. It also seeks to adopt an intensely collaborative way of working, as a creative, innovation driven based method that informs its logic and approach, and supports the outcomes sought.

This module replaces the traditional, academic dissertation with a final 'capstone' module that marries a student's academic knowledge with the ability to put this into practice to create a positive difference in a local social enterprise and/or provide strategic support for a new social innovation. Whilst still as rigorous as a dissertation, the summer project will provide a chance for students to provide fieldwork within the sector and communicate their findings to wider groups of stakeholders. All of which are key attributes that employers and governments are looking for in this field. Each student will work closely with an organisation(s) to conduct voluntary work and/or project fieldwork to better their understanding and collect data for their project(s).

In addition to learning through fieldwork, you will also attend and participate in Social Enterprise & Impact seminar events, which will be hosted by Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and open to the community.

• Days 1and 2: The first two half days occur at the beginning of the project. These launch the module for the students and clients, as well as provide an update on the status of Social Innovation and Enterprise in the Scottish Ecosystem, and Key Trends and Challenges that businesses face - from the businesses themselves.
• Day 3 and 4: marks the half way point for the module. Here, we invite international guests and stakeholder workshops to a) increase awareness of key trends in the area b) invite the public to be involved in our work at the University c) provide support and workshops for our Social Enterprise clients and the Industry and d) provide the students with a chance to collect data and show a draft of their work to-date.
• Day 5: near the end of their project, students will create their own Social Impact event, where they will showcase their work and 'give something back' to the local business community.
• Day 6: end of the module, this will be a final celebration event, with final deliverables by the students in combination with public, academic events on social enterprise and impact.