MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management

In this module, students develop a holistic understanding of the theory and tools for Entrepreneurship which has a particular relevance in the context of the Digital Economy. This begins with a discussion of key concepts around the Entrepreneur, Opportunity Recognition and the Entrepreneurial Process. In turn, students review key elements for a start-up including resources, the founding team and business modelling. Finally, we look at scaling strategies in the Digital Economy including a range of different business models where start-ups create, deliver and capture value. The Digital Economy enables these innovative business models. For assessment, students research and apply Key Entrepreneurship Topics to case studies and then critically evaluate the scaling strategy for a designated emerging-growth companies in the Digital Economy using Entrepreneurship theory, Digital Economy theory and a business model framework.

This module is designed for students to develop an understanding of the principles for developing a business idea into a viable business opportunity which is investment ready through authentic learning. This includes carrying out market research utilising generative-AI to validate a business idea by working with company stakeholders and then mapping out a business model for a scaling strategy to be investment ready.The module will enable students to understand theories related to Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and enable them to apply such theories through a group project to develop market research using Lean Start-up methodology by working with actual businesses. They will reflect further on their research to develop investment proposal which requires them to understand the investor perspective too..Students will learn the theory and gain practical experience around key concepts for Entrepreneurship, Lean Start-up, Business Modelling and Entrepreneurial Business Planning.

The Digital Innovation Management module is a cornerstone in your business education. This module examines the strategic and tactical dimensions of innovation that a future leader considers when managing an organisation or team. It combines established and contemporary conceptual frameworks with practical guidance for analysing the challenges of leading an innovative organisation. In today's digital economy, emerging technologies both create opportunities and threaten established business models and market leadership, requiring sophisticated innovation management capabilities. In this module, students will discuss the strategy, sources, processes, and implementation of innovation. This module particularly provides students with A holistic understanding of the concept of digital innovation and its relevance to firms¿ competitiveness The capability to identify the links between the structures and processes which support specific models of innovation The capability to recognise the opportunities for, and constraints to innovation in specific business contexts and organisational settings The capability to develop practical skills that are crucial to the management of digital innovation The capability to evaluate emerging digital technologies and their strategic implications for innovation management, including AI, data analytics, blockchain, and digital platforms In brief, students should come away with models and insights to succeed in each innovation management phase. Finally, the module is designed to provide deep theoretical and practical knowledge by applying theory in case studies and other assignments. The course consists of lectures, seminars, group assignments and an individual assignment.

This course introduces modern programming concepts and practice for students with little or no background in computing using the computer language Python. The course will start with a presentation of basic programming concepts, including data types and structures as they exist in Python. Loops and conditional statements will then be introduced, as well as custom functions, along with a wider discussion of structured programming and ways to reuse code. Students will then consider practical applications of programming. They will learn to work with data input and output in different formats, use suitable libraries for scientific computing and data analysis, and create plots and visualizations to display results. Throughout the course, students will engage with professional programming practices and tools (test-driven development, version control, code reviewing, debugging), and will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers to develop their skills.

During the module, students consider, discuss, and evaluate concepts, models, digital tools and processes that are necessary for gaining sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Emphasis is placed upon identifying key strategic issues, competitive positioning and strategy formulation. Marketing strategies are examined with a particular focus on environmental analysis, segmentation, targeting, positioning (STP) and strategic marketing planning.

The world-wide political and economic liberalization and continuous technology improvement in the last three decades have brought unprecedented flows of goods, services, labour and capital across national boundaries. International business today comprises a larger and ever-growing portion of the world’s business and global events and competition affects almost all companies. A company operating internationally will engage in modes of business that are different from those it is accustomed to domestically. International business management is the process of applying management concepts, theories, and techniques in a multinational environment so that firms can become and remain international in scope. Moreover, a comparative view of management and organization in internationally operating firms is provided to understand these processes in detail.

Management of Human Resources is an introductory module and available to students undertaking a range of MSc programmes at the Surrey Business School. It is intended to provide a firm understanding of the theory and practice of Human Resource management and its strategic role in contemporary organisations. This module covers core functions of HRM and their integration within business strategy as well as contemporary topics concerning management of people. By the end of this module, the students will have gained a foundation knowledge base of HR as a function in organisations and its strategic role in achieving business objectives through people management.

This module is designed to help students develop the social and professional skills required to work effectively in complex organisational settings. Students will explore how the ¿self¿ is managed in professional contexts, how to negotiate, how to navigate challenging social situations, and how to build relationships with key stakeholders. Rather than engaging with these skills only at a theoretical level, the module adopts an immersive and practice-based approach. Students will work in small teams as student consultants on a live project challenge with an external organisation. Together, they will critically analyse a genuine workplace problem and develop creative, evidence-informed solutions. The module encourages students to reflect critically on their own social behaviours, communication style, and assumptions, enabling them to understand how they influence others and how others respond to them. Through a combination of theoretical lectures, applied workshops, and live consultancy work, students will develop practical experience, enhanced self-awareness, and increased confidence in applying their skills within professional contexts.

The module is an advanced, research-led module on sustainability and social innovation. It offers research-led insights into current issues and anticipated trends in sustainability, social innovation, and the changing role of business in society. The module will consider the current theory and critically examine the corporate practice of managing for sustainability, including aspects of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, innovation and strategic, operational and supply chain solutions for improving sustainability on an international scale. We will examine the social, environmental, economic and business case for sustainability in the global context and reflect on the possible trajectories for the advancement of the sustainability agenda. We will study the emergent trends in organizing for the fulfilment of social needs that are insufficiently (or not at all) addressed by either the private or public sector and examine the case for the social enterprise. We will examine the practice of social entrepreneurship and innovation and reflect on the transferability of the model to more traditional organizations. We will examine how value is created through social innovation and enterprise and look at the associated challenges and opportunities for the future.

This module provides students with specialist knowledge and skills in financial decision-making in the context of entrepreneurial ventures. Students will explore finance from the perspective of founders, early-stage enterprises and scaleups, integrating core financial theory with practical tools used to fund, evaluate and grow high-potential ventures. Key themes include understanding diverse financing options (from bootstrapping through to venture capital), financial planning, valuation of nascent and growth-stage business models, managing risk and uncertainty in entrepreneurial contexts. Emphasis is placed on applying financial thinking to real entrepreneurial scenarios and opportunities.

This module introduces students to the concept and current practices in marketing analytics. Technology advances of the past decade have dramatically enhanced marketers' means of collecting and analysing data to measure the effectiveness of their marketing strategies. This module is designed to provide students with an overview of state-of-the-art marketing analytics practices that guide marketing executives in their strategic decisions. The module focuses on introducing students to key analytical techniques with an emphasis on interpreting results and generating strategic insights for marketing decision-making. The course will be of particular value to students planning careers in marketing and management consulting. The course is designed for students with a basic understanding of univariate and bivariate statistics. Addressing different learning styles, the following teaching methods are applied in this course: Pre-readings, Lectures, Class Exercises, Class Discussions, and Real World Cases/Industry Insights.

This module introduces students to the main principles of accounting and finance and demonstrates the importance of these to management decision making

This module provides students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of International Trade, considered from an international political economy (IPE) as well as management perspectives. This is done through the assessment of International Trade from different angles, predominantly from the international trade management view, the international trade operations dimension, the state’s perspective, from the international trade regime perspective (the GATT and WTO) but also from the perspective of the international society, regional cooperation and the perspective of business and industry.

Consumer Behaviour is evident in everyday life, therefore knowledge and understanding of this subject can be beneficial to personal decision-making as well as to marketing and strategy formulation, both in offline and online environments. The module Perspectives on Consumer Behaviour deals with a range of theoretical, practical techniques in understanding and researching consumer consumption behaviour and how such an understanding can be used to create successful and viable marketing strategies. This module gives students the opportunity to explore theories and leading-edge research findings and apply knowledge by conducting small group discussion and/or activities. Thus, reflective, and critical applications of relevant behavioural, cognitive, and socio-cultural approaches to consumption are discussed.

The Independent Applied Study is a major component of the MSc programme and should represent a significant independent piece of work, drawing on various areas of knowledge and skills. It allows students to focus on topics of particular interest to them, which may be covered in the programme. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to work independently under supervision.The Study Report can take two different forms:1. Business Plan - Begins with an original business idea, agreed upon with an academic supervisor, and is developed by the student through research into a clearly defined business plan.2. Consulting Project - Begins with a consulting brief agreed upon with both a company stakeholder and an academic supervisor. It may address a problem or opportunity identified by the company stakeholder and involves a research-based solution to explore and develop the topic. Milestones and objectives are agreed upon for the delivery of the project.