Corporate Entrepreneurship (Spring Semester 2024)

General Information

Course Description

How can companies be entrepreneurial and successful in the long run?

To survive and prosper over time, companies need to maintain and constantly revitalize an entrepreneurial spirit within the firm. This allows them to innovate and to re-invent themselves constantly. But how can such firm-level “Corporate Entrepreneurship” be enhanced in a sustainable way?

This course takes a fresh and comprehensive look at different important elements of entrepreneurship within established organizations.

First, it introduces the main underlying concepts and themes of “Corporate Entrepreneurship” such as:

• Entrepreneurial orientation
• Corporate venturing
• Strategic entrepreneurship
• Transformation and change

Second, it addresses the most important ways how to actually enhance “Corporate Entrepreneurship”, particularly how to encourage employees’ entrepreneurial behaviour. Examples are:

• Organizational structure and culture
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Human resource management practices
• Stock ownership plans and financial incentive systems
• Psychological ownership

The key questions addressed are:

• “Corporate Entrepreneurship”: What is it, and why is it important?
• What are the key elements of “Corporate Entrepreneurship”?
• How can “Corporate Entrepreneurship” be fostered?
• What are the corresponding challenges, pitfalls, and success strategies?
• What role are the firm’s employees playing?
• And many more…

The main learning outcomes are:

• Gain in-depth academic and practical insights into "Corporate Entrepreneurship"
• Know and understand the conceptual foundations of "Corporate Entrepreneurship"
• Learn about the factors that influence "Corporate Entrepreneurship"
• Develop and enhance own skills and capabilities how to make firms and their employees more entrepreneurial
• Develop the foundations for your future corporate or entrepreneurial career

Teaching Approach and Performance Evaluation

The course will be taught through in-person teaching with physical attendance of the classes, accompanied by online elements. Specifically, the conceptual foundations of each class will be provided in advance through video podcasts. Each actual class, in turn, will include different elements such as additional content, case studies, exercises, discussions, or guest lectures.

Students’ performance will be evaluated on the individual and on the team level. On the individual level, the grading is based on the final written exam (60%) and on the participation in class (20%). On the team level, a group presentation at the end of the semester will be graded (20%).

To receive ECTS, all performance evaluation parts have to be completed. Regular attendance of all the classes is required.

Tentative Course Overview

All lectures are held on Wednesdays, from 09:15 - 12:00.