LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 6

Schedule: 25.02.2019 - 05.04.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Patrick Shulist

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Patrick Shulist

Contact information for the course (valid 31.01.2019-21.12.2112):

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  The course focuses on the role of entrepreneurship in the transitioning towards a more socially and ecologically responsible world. The course is based on two core pivots: 1) why entrepreneurship is important for sustainability, 2) how sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship differs from "traditional" entrepreneurship.  To accomplish this, we will explore the entrepreneurial process (e.g. ideation, venture creation, initial market entry, early growth, and late growth) with a focus on how the components of that process change by including sustainability considerations.  Understanding these differences fundamentally necessitates understanding the complexity of sustainability-oriented value propositions, as well as the increased importance of gaining support from other ecosystem actors.

  A unique feature of the course design is the strong emphasis on problem-based learning through a group course project where students get to work on the real-world challenges of start-ups and other entrepreneurship actors. Students are also encouraged to use the course as an opportunity to explore their own start-up ideas.

• Applies in this implementation:

  Learning
  Tracks

  The course is designed to provide each student with a more personalized
  learning experience by offering one of three approaches to understanding
  sustainable entrepreneurship. The three profiles are (1) consultant for
  sustainable venturing, (2) sustainable entrepreneurship researcher, and (3)
  sustainability-oriented entrepreneur. These profiles will be the primary means
  through which students apply their knowledge outside of the classroom.

  Note: Students need to decide or will be
  assigned to one actor profile at the latest by the end of Session 2 (26.02.2019).
  

  A. Sustainability-oriented entrepreneur – A
  private enterprise view

  By choosing the entrepreneur profile, student groups will either (a)
  work on a group member’s already existing venture, or on a venture idea, or (b)
  FIND and work with an existing start-up to develop that venture.  In the first option, the group member’s
  venture can be at any stage, and can have either a for-profit or non-profit
  approach.  In the second option, students
  are responsible for finding the start-up with which they would like to work for
  the duration of the course. In either option, it is critical that the venture
  either currently has a sustainability focus or is looking to head in that
  direction.  Sustainability cannot be a tangential
  aspect.  Importantly, in both cases, the primary instructor must agree that the
  proposed venture is suitable for the content of this course. This should
  not be a problem, but it is best to identify potential problems as early as
  possible.

  Mentoring/coaching will be assigned for the teams depending on the focus
  of the venture.

  The essential focus of this track is developing a viable enterprise
  incorporating sustainability. Deliverables will therefore focus on analyzing
  and evaluating different models for incorporating sustainability into the
  venture.  Key to this is ensuring there
  is a viable value proposition for the venture. 
  With that said however, it is also understood that developing a venture
  takes time, so assessing deliverables will focus on the quality of analysis and
  the process the team took. You needn’t have a perfect, or even anywhere near
  perfect, idea. We want to see that there is progress on the idea, a
  consideration of course materials, and well-grounded analysis. Results will be
  shared with course participants and interested stakeholders on the Sustainable
  Entrepreneurship Day.

  
  

  B. Consultant for sustainable venturing – A view
  through the public sector or NGOs

  By choosing the consultant profile, student groups will act as
  consultants for the City of Helsinki, or for The Shortcut. Sustainable
  Entrepreneurship is critical to many of Helsinki’s goals, whether that be
  integrating new immigrants, developing a circular economy for the purpose of
  reducing plastic pollution in water, nurturing the nascent sustainable tourism
  industry, using procurement contracts as a way of inducing social goals into
  SMEs, or foster clean technology. Specifics of these projects (and others) will
  be introduced during the first class. Mentoring/coaching for this track will be
  undertaken by members of the City of Helsinki.

  The Shortcut, a volunteer-based start-up ecosystem, helps people
  discover and nurture their talents and aspirations to create or work for high
  growth companies. The mission is to inspire and empower people from diverse
  backgrounds to take an active role in (re)building their future, using
  technology and entrepreneurship.  The
  Shortcut is a non-profit sister organisation to SLUSH and Startup Sauna. Students
  interested in working with The Shortcut will focus on organizing a novel event
  – Impact & Sustainability Sprint
  Week – and evaluating how the event can be made better in subsequent years.
  The Shortcut has a team focused on this event, and you will work closely with
  them.  You will find that organizing the
  event itself is an entrepreneurial undertaking. Moreover, you will learn more
  about entrepreneurship through the content of the event.  Mentoring/coaching will be provided by The
  Shortcut.

  Critically, given that this event
  takes place on March 18-23rd, students interested in this project are
  encouraged to contact the primary instructor at least one or two weeks ahead of
  the start date of the course.
  Moreover, students are also encouraged to volunteer with The Shortcut after the
  actual event.

  Overall, the focus of the consultant profile is to collect reliable information for addressing the challenges identified
  by Helsinki or The Shortcut, and writing up the main insights in form of a short consulting report. The
  consultancy report has to include topics introduced in the course, such as the
  evaluation of the sustainability opportunity, the market, cultural and legal
  environment for starting a business, and the required practical steps for
  implementation. The theoretical knowledge for conducting this assignment will
  be provided in-class. The results will be shared and discussed with course
  participants and interested stakeholders on the Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  Day.

  
  

  C. Sustainable entrepreneurship researcher – An
  Academic View of Entrepreneurship in Africa

  Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as
  there are very few other avenues for economic and social development. Because
  of this, fostering ANY type of entrepreneurship in SSA helps improve
  socioeconomic standings in direct and indirect ways; i.e. commercially focused
  entrepreneurship IS a form of sustainable entrepreneurship.  Directly, greater economic engagement allows
  access to healthcare, sufficient food, schooling for one’s children, and
  effective housing, amongst other things. Indirectly, economic progression is
  tied to better gender equity, less corruption, less conflict, and greater
  adherence to democratic norms. 

  Unsurprisingly then, many international organizations try to facilitate
  entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa. This has traditionally been through
  microfinance, though more recently entrepreneur training programs have been
  growing in scale. In this project you
  will focus on the entrepreneur training programs. Importantly, many of
  these programs fail to actually foster entrepreneurship in the intended manner,
  mainly because they do not appreciate how different entrepreneurship in SSA is
  from that of the developed world. For instance, the world’s largest
  entrepreneur training program is the International Labour Organization’s (ILO)
  Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB)program.  This program has its roots in a program
  developed in Sweden in the 1970s, and with VERY few exceptions, the social and institutional
  makeup typical of SSA is vastly different from that of Sweden in the 1970s, or
  at any time since; notably, entrepreneurship is an intensely social undertaking
  in SSA, with elements normally provided by formal institutions in Sweden
  instead running through social networks and social norms. Despite this, the ILO’s
  SIYB has een little modified from the original foundations of the Swedish
  program.

  With this in mind, there area two key components to the researcher track.
  First, students will develop an understanding of the nature of entrepreneurship
  in SSA.  This will be done through a set
  of already transcribed interviews that Patrick has conducted of Ghanaian
  microentrepreneurs. There are many different elements on which one might focus.
  These interviews will be examined through a qualitative methodology.  Patrick will work with you to understand
  qualitative analytical techniques, and to analyze the interviews. Second,
  students will use this understanding to contrast the nature of
  microentrepreneurship in SSA with the focus of the ILO’s SIYB. The goal will be
  to provide recommendations on how the program may be improved. Through both of
  these steps, students will follow the basic structure of an academic paper:
  introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, and
  conclusion.  You are expected to
  formulate a research question, develop a theoretical frame, analyse the data,
  and form brief conclusions.

  The key deliverable for this track will follow the standard formatting
  of an academic paper, or master’s thesis. 
  Moreover, if there is interest, there is the opportunity to extend this
  work into one’s master’s thesis work.

  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Group project (45%)
  Individual assignments (55%)

• Applies in this implementation:

  ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

  Component	Percent of Final Grade	Due Date
  Final Presentation on Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day	20%	Wednesday, April 3rd
  Group report	50%	Friday, April 12th, 23:59:59
  Interim Date: Status Report I	(10% penalty if incomplete)	Sunday, March 12th, 12:00
  Interim Date: Status Report II	(10% penalty if incomplete)	Sunday, March 26th, 12:00
  Individual Essay Assignment	30%	Friday, April 12th, 23:59:59

   

  A. Deliverables

  The following are but brief overviews of the deliverable. Details will
  be distributed in class.

  1. Group report - 50%

  Due Date: April 12^th,
  by 23:59:59

              The specific nature of this report
  will vary depending on which track you choose, but in general it’s purpose is
  to communicate a condensed version of the findings from your group work.  For the practitioner track this will
  emphasize the venture development process you have gone through, how sustainability
  matters for this venture, and the proposed plans for taking it forward. For the
  consultant track, the report will emphasize the problem/situation/opportunity,
  background information on it, options for how to proceed, and recommendations.
  For the researcher track, the report will be in standard academic format:
  introduction, literature review, methods, findings, discussion, and conclusion.

              This is a group report, and as such
  there are high expectations for what is delivered, as there are 75 hours of
  class time per person allocated to this task. 
  In addition, it is expected that all group members contribute equally to
  this project.  If any deviation from this
  arises or seems likely to arise, then concerned group members are encouraged to
  contact Patrick as early as possible.  Depending
  on the situation and based on the instructors’ discretion, members’ grades for
  group work (i.e. report and presentation) may be adjusted away from everyone
  receiving the same grade.  It is hopeful
  that this will not bee needed.

              Moreover, you are working with
  real-world partners, and thus we must also ensure that what is produced is of
  value for them.  We do not simply want to
  take their time, but rather to provide something for them.

  2. Final Presentation - 20%

  Presentation date: April 3^rd, as
  part of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day

              The final presentations will happen
  as part of sustainable entrepreneurship day. 
  It is not mandatory for all group members to speak during the
  presentation, but it is mandatory for all to be present and to be ready to
  answer questions.  A substantial part of
  the grade for this deliverable will be based on how good the presentation is;
  i.e. is it engaging, and does it tell a good story given the time
  constraints.  Content will be important
  here as well, but the depth of your work will be more thoroughly assessed as
  part of the group report.

  3. Individual Essay Assignment - 30%

  Due Date: April 12^th,
  by 23:59:59

              In this deliverable, you will write
  an essay on one of the topics covered in the course. The essay is different
  from most academic work, in that it presents a uniquely normative
  epistemological position; we want you to discuss your personal views and
  opinions. There are three options for how to complete this:

  1.     Embrace an idea from class and use it as a starting point for further
  development; e.g. discuss how the role of the public sector in promoting
  sustainable entrepreneurship may be enhanced.

  2.     An idea presented in class is critically challenged, perhaps even
  refuted; e.g. the public sector has no role in facilitating sustainable
  entrepreneurship.

  3.     Combine options 1
  and 2; e.g. there are some cases where the public sector can play a generative
  role, but this role should be limited and the private sector needs to be emphasize.

  In general, consider
  this essay assignment as a tool for reflection that should support your own
  learning journey (e.g. for approaching Master’s thesis theme).

  
  

  A. Standard Assignment formatting

  We will use the
  standard formatting for the Academy of Management’s Journal: www.aom.org/publications/amj/styleguide/.
  The only modification we will make is to use A4 paper.  Be sure to follow the complete set of
  formatting but pay special attention to:

  ·       Double-Spaced

  ·       Times New Roman 12pt font.

  ·       2.54cm margin

  For more in-depth
  information about standard formatting from a linguistic standpoint, please see
  the standard widely used at Aalto: Style
  Guide 2016_Aalto_BScBA Mikkeli.pdf

  B. Group Formation

  For group assignments, group formation is left
  up to students.  We recommend pursuing
  diversity in the group, as this will bring different view points into your
  discussions, learning, and submitted assignments.  We reserve the right to modify groups to especially
  ensure there exist a mix of disciplinary foci. You will use the same group for
  all group components.

  Group size parameters will be communicated after
  enrollment is finalized. 

  All group members are expected to contribute
  equally to group assignments. In the case of group members who do not follow
  this directive, we reserve the right to reduce your assignment grades, at our
  discretion.

  C. Grading Policy

  You are expected to submit all assignments (group and individual ones)
  on time and before the respective deadline. If you do not submit any assignment
  on time, your grade for that assignment will be reduced by 25% for each passing
  day. For instance, if your submission is up to 1 day late (i.e. anything
  between one minute to one day), you can get a maximum of 75% of the grade of
  the assignment, up to two days a maximum of 50%, up to three days a maximum of
  25%. You will no longer have an option to submit after three days have passed.

              If you miss a presentation without a
  valid reason, you will receive a zero (0) for that portion of your grade.  A valid reason must be communicated at least 72
  hours ahead of time to the primary instructor, as well as to all of your group
  members.  If you have a valid reason for
  missing the presentation, you will be able to complete a make-up assignment
  organized by the instructors, which will mirror the deliverables of the
  original presentation.

  
  

   

  D. Grading Scale

  Final grades will be on a scale from 0-5. Final grades will be
  calculated from the results of the above listed assignments and allocated as
  per the below table.

  Final Grade	Overall Percentage
  0	<50%
  1	50%-59.99%
  2	60%-69.99%
  3	70%-79.99%
  4	80%-89.99%
  5	>90%

  
  

Workload

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  24 h contact hours
  136 h independent work

• Applies in this implementation:

  Classroom hours	20h
  Class preparation (pre-readings for lectures)	27h
  Assignments (group work)	75h
  Assignments (individual)	10h
  Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day	8h
  Additional time allocated to students’ learning leads	20h
  Total	160h (6 ECTS)

  
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  A variety of articles on sustainability entrepreneurship. More detailed instructions will be provided in the course syllabus.

Prerequisites

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  None. Content will be tailored to students with different levels of experience in entrepreneurship. This will be done primarily by offering optional sessions at the start of class that cover some of the "basic" background materials.  Students with experience in entrepreneurship, will be able to earn extra credit by facilitating these optional sessions. In general though, the instructors will deliver and facilitate most material.

Registration for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Registration via WedOodi ends 7 days before the period starts.

• Applies in this implementation:

  I.               
  Attendance

  Attending five out of seven (5/7) sustainable entrepreneurship sessions is
  obligatory, or you will not get a grade on final report, making it exceedingly
  difficult to pass the course.

  II.            
  ETHICAL RULES

  Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Thereof:

  https://into.aalto.fi/display/ensaannot/Aalto+University+Code+of+Academic+Integrity+and+Handling+Violations+Thereof

  III.          
   OTHER ISSUES 

  Registration to course: via Weboodi, closes one week before the start of
  the course.

  Retrieving Course Materials: all materials available through MyCourses

  Group feedback will be provided as assignments are returned.

  
  

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

1 No Poverty

4 Quality Education

7 Affordable and Clean Energy

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

13 Climate Action

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  The course is open to all Aalto students. Priority is given to students in (1) MSc Entrepreneurship, (2) MSc Creative Sustainability, (3) CEMS, and (4) other Aalto BIZ Masters programmes. Students can further develop their venture ideas initiated in other Aalto courses, such as 25E50000 Venture ideation or 21E10000 How to change the world.

   

   

• Applies in this implementation:

  I.               
  Attendance

  Attending five out of seven (5/7) sustainable entrepreneurship sessions is
  obligatory, or you will not get a grade on final report, making it exceedingly
  difficult to pass the course.

  II.            
  ETHICAL RULES

  Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Thereof:

  https://into.aalto.fi/display/ensaannot/Aalto+University+Code+of+Academic+Integrity+and+Handling+Violations+Thereof

  III.          
   OTHER ISSUES 

  Registration to course: via Weboodi, closes one week before the start of
  the course.

  Retrieving Course Materials: all materials available through MyCourses

  Group feedback will be provided as assignments are returned.

  
  

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  All classroom session run from 13:15-16:00 on
  the noted date. They may be split up between topics though,.

  The required readings/materials (noted in the
  next sub-section) are due before every class.

  1. Sustainable Entrepreneurship Topics – Must
  attend 5/7 to get a grade on final project

  #	Date	Start Time	Content
  1	Mon, 25 Feb.	13:15	Towards a sustainable future: what entrepreneurship means within the context of sustainable development. Overview of course, presentation of “tracks” and projects.
  2	Tue, 26 Feb.	14:00	The classic entrepreneurial approach to sustainability. For profit, and not for profit approaches will be taken.
  3	Mon, 04 Mar.	14:00	Corporate intrapreneurship and sustainability
  4	Tue, 05 Mar.	14:00	Using public policy to achieve sustainability through entrepreneurship. Guest speakers from the City of Helsinki
  5	Mon, 11 Mar.	13:15	Culture and Communities
  6	Tue, 12 Mar.	14:00	Free Innovation, Finance and Alternative Economies Guest speaker: Ville Luukkanen
  7	Tue, 26 Mar.	13:15	Project Check-ins. Schedule a timeslot.

  Optional Session: Monday, April 1^st,
  13:15-14:45, place TBD. For help with final preparation of projects and
  presentations.

  Final Session: Wednesday, April 3^rd
  10:00-17:00 at the Design Factory as part of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day

  2.
  General Entrepreneurship Topics – Optional

  #	Date	Core Entrepreneurship Topic (13:15-13:50) - Optional
  1	Mon, 25 Feb.	None – full class is devoted to Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  2	Tue, 26 Feb.	What is entrepreneurship, and how do we do it? – What is the basic goal, what is the basic process, what does the growth process look like?
  3	Mon, 04 Mar.	Making an idea work: aligning the value proposition with a market segment.
  4	Tue, 05 Mar.	Entrepreneurial finance
  5	Mon, 11 Mar.	None – full class is devoted to Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  6	Tue, 12 Mar.	TBD
  7	Tue, 26 Mar.	None – full class is devoted to Sustainable Entrepreneurship

  
  

Description

Registration and further information