Scenario: Imagine you are returning to set up a small business in your home country. You want to explore the possibilities and gauge your chances of success [you can choose any sector but need to be specific - and realistic!]. You should address the question as follows:
Part a – with reference to the Isenberg model, show how the entrepreneurial ecosystem in your country/region/city can help you succeed in your chosen sector.
You need to include details on specific funding initiatives, legislation and policy, education programmes and make sure you reference these correctly. These should be applicable to your chosen sector – e.g. training initiatives, grants for start-ups, industry networks etc.
You must show you understand the impacts of some of the initiatives/funding mechanisms/mentorship programmes/policies. GEM reports and theory on (among others) necessity entrepreneurship may be useful to consider. Can you discuss if or why this has had an impact on economic output, regional development, or the appetite for entrepreneurship etc in your chosen region? You need to refer to recent statistics if mentioning these areas.
It is not necessary to look at all dimensions of the model – in depth discussion on a smaller number of the most important factors may be more beneficial – but you should show you understand how the ecosystem needs to be balanced and work as a whole.
40 marks
Part b – Barriers to entrepreneurship.
As above this should be based on your home country and specific to the sector you have chosen (you want to acknowledge where the ecosystem needs to be developed or refined).
How would these barriers impact on your ambitions?
You must compare to previous research on common barriers -it is expected that the literature and reports mentioned in class are used IN ADDITION to specific reports/research on barriers in your home country.
25 marks
Part c – Entrepreneurial characteristics:
What are the individual characteristics an entrepreneur needs to help overcome some of these barriers and allow him/her to take advantages of the opportunities you see in your country? You must use the authors introduced in class for this section. See some of the earlier lectures in the module to help you.
Give examples of local entrepreneurs (from your country/region) to illustrate. News articles, company websites etc may provide information here.
25 marks
Presentation, structure, written narrative, and use of appropriate references.
(a) You have been given the basis of a structure for this assignment. Take time to make sure each section links, you have avoided repetition and your work has a logical flow.
(b) Referencing must clearly follow UUBS guidelines.
(c) Follow report format with headings, page numbers and a contents page. Any tables, graphs, diagrams etc need to be labelled appropriately and sources cited.
10 marks
Word count: 3000 +/- 10% not including title page, contents or reference list.
Submit via Turnitin link by 11:59 pm 18th May 2024.
Marks are awarded for in-depth discussion, the use of appropriate examples, application of theory and the use of relevant articles or reports. Policies etc must be correctly referenced and UUBS Harvard used. It is expected that the work follows a logical structure and that sufficient explanations are given. Try to avoid vague or unsupported statements.
Please use this information, along with the lectures and notes from the 12-week block, where we covered many issues in relation to entrepreneurship and the ecosystem.
