Business Growth and Development (3cr)

Objective

The student can estimate and analyse the present state of the company and it's business, draw up a growth strategy and development plan to the business of the case company. The student can anticipate the future in the strategy process and can use different strategy tools when developing new business to the company. The student can identify and utilise existing anticipating information in the search of innovative business opportunities. The student can estimate the main challenges for expanding business. After having performed the study module the student is able to draw up the growth strategy and the development plan to the small abd medium-sized company.

Content

Further development of the existing business idea
Identification of the foresight information
Development of innovation
Sources of the growth
Internal and external growth strategies
Challenges of the growing business
Growth management

Qualifications

No previous studies are required.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Excellent 5
The student can analyze the main challenges of existing business and company excellently. The student can identify the properties of the business, organization and key persons, and business environment. The student can analyze and estimate these factors in relation to carrying out the growth strategy. The student can adapt foresight tools, estimate and utilize the anticipating information in the search of business opportunities and in the planning of the strategy for the case company. The student can also use different strategy tools when planning the growth strategy to the company. The student can draw up a versatile development plan to the case company.

Good 4-3
The student can estimate challenges of existing business and company. The student identifies the properties of business, organization and key persons and the business environment and can estimate them from the point of view of carrying out the growth strategy. The student can search the foresight information for business opportunities. The student uses the anticipating tools and strategy tools when planning the growth strategy of the company. The student can draw up the development plan to the case company.

Satisfactory 2-1
The student identifies the challenges of existing business and company. The student knows the properties of business, organization and key persons and the business environment without connecting them to the growth strategy. The student knows about the use of the anticipating information in the search and planning of the strategy and business opportunities without connecting such information to his plan. The student knows about the anticipating tools and strategy tools in the planning of the growth strategy without using them systematically in his developing task. The student participates in the composing of the development plan on the case company.

Materials

-Varamäki, E. ym. (2007). Kasvuyrittäjyyden olemus ja pk-yritysten kasvustrategiat Etelä-Pohjanmaalla. Luku 4 sivut 82-92, luku 5 sivut 93-125, luku 8 sivut 139-154, luku 10 sivut 204-219 sekä luku 12 sivut 249-259. Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisusarja A. Tutkimuksia 5. Seinäjoki: Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulu.
Availability: https://plari.amkit.fi/vwebv/holdingsInfo?sk=fi_EN&bibId=77786

-Sorama, K. ym. (2009). Yritysten kasvu alueellisesti Suomessa. Luku 2 sivut 5-29 ja luku 6 sivut 100-116. Tekesin katsaus 245/2009. Helsinki: Tekes
Available: www.tekes.fi/Julkaisut/Yritysten_kasvu_alueellisesti_Suomessa.pdf

-Mannermaa, M. (2004). Heikoista signaaleista vahva tulevaisuus. Helsinki: WSOY (luvut 4, 5 ja 8)
Availability: https://plari.amkit.fi/vwebv/holdingsInfo?sk=fi_EN&bibId=55988

-Ahola, E. & A. Palkamo (2009). Megatrendit ja me. Tekesin katsaus 255/2009. Helsinki: Tekes
Available: http://www.tekes.fi/Julkaisut/megatrendit.pdf

- Material delived by lecture

Teaching methods

- contact teaching
- cooperation with the key persons of the case company
- case-work (consultation)
- independent working of groups

Further information

The course produces 3 R&D credits