ME2803 Growth - Managing Your Firm 7.5 credits

• Educational level

  Second cycle

• Academic level (A-D)

  C

• Subject area

  Industrial Management
  

• Grade scale

  A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• Course page on KTH Social

Learning outcomes

The intended learning outcomes for the course are for the student to be able to:

• analyse and explain why firms grow and what it means for society as a whole
• explain different kinds of reources and its importance for firm growth
• explain the concept of competitive advantage and analyse the competitive advantages of high growth enterprises
• describe the concept of international growth and explain for whom and why it may be appropriate
• describe different kinds of venture capital, use basic models of corporate valutation and argue for its importance for ventures in different growth stages
• explain the concept of exit model, for whom and why a certain exit model would be appropriate
• adapt personal goals and corporate strategies to change personal and business conditions
• argue for common challenges when deciding to expand and grow a venture
• understand and demonstate how a company can remain entrepreneurial when entering a growth phase.

Course main content

The course focuses on the decisions and actions owner-managers take in recognising and choosing opportunities, obtaining and allocating resources, challenging and directing personnel, and adapting personal goals and corporate strategies to changing personal and business conditions. In this process, the course examines management challenges that are typical of different stages in the business’s development – start-up, growth, change of direction, etc.

Using this framework, the course will discuss issues of particular importance to rapidly growing firms such as developing networks, managing with limited resources, cash planning, delegation, and professionalizing the business as it grows, dealing with crises, while at the same time being careful to avoid stifling the entrepreneurial spirit as the organisation becomes larger and more complex.

Disposition

The course will mix and match lectures with debates, discussions and workshops by the students as well as leaders in the field.

Eligibility

Programme students at KTH must have a minimum of 120 ECTS, especially in the areas of technology, economics, medicine or biomedicine. Experience with administration/management from a practical or theoretical perspective may be valuable, but is not required.

For all other students 180 hp is requires as well as English A + B, or equivalent.

Prerequisites

Programme students at KTH must have a minimum of 120 ECTS.

Literature

Will be announced at the start of the course.

Examination

• PRO1 - Project, 7.5 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Requirements for final grade

The students grade will depend on three factors:

1. Individual pre-class case analysis
2. Literature Review
3. Field report

Attendance is compulsory.

Offered by

ITM/Industrial Economics and Management

Contact

Lisa Thorén-Forsanker, lisa.thoren@sses.se

Examiner

Terrence Brown <terrence@kth.se>

Supplementary information

Established 2003-11-25.

Replaces 4D1524

All registration queries should be addressed to the SSES Education Registrat at registrar@sses.se.

The course is offered within the framework of The Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Version

Course plan valid from: Autumn 11.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 07.