Module description
What is the module about?
This course explores the psychology behind entrepreneurship and innovation. The topics include the personality of entrepreneurs and exploring whether entrepreneurs are born or made; how entrepreneurs and innovation leaders make decisions about risk and manage uncertainty; what drives entrepreneurs and what ‘returns’ they can expect (in terms of income and well-being); what success means to entrepreneurs, how you may lead successfully on entrepreneurial, entrepreneurs and innovation initiatives. We will also reflect on how each one of us can act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner. The course examines the psychological underpinnings of the entrepreneurial process and innovative behaviours within established business. It is mindful of the diversity of entrepreneurial and innovation endeavours ranging from high-tech and digital entrepreneurs to social entrepreneurs that launch social innovations.
Who should do this module?
Students interested in finding out more about the psychology underpinning entrepreneurship and innovation. No previous background in Psychology is required.
Provisional Lecture Outline
Lecture 1: Introduction to the course, Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process
Lecture 2: Is there an ‘Entrepreneurial Personality’? The personality and abilities of successful entrepreneurs
Lecture 3: It is all about risk, or is it? Entrepreneurial cognition and decision-making under uncertainty
Lecture 4: Motivation matters. Preferences and their effects on opportunity recognition and the firm
Lecture 5: Heart or Brain? The role of affect and emotion on opportunity recognition and decision-making
Lecture 6: Entrepreneurial Teams and Leadership for innovation
Lecture 7: The Biology of Entrepreneurship
Lecture 8: The Psychology of Investors: How to convince your investors, bid for funding, and run a successful crowdfunding campaign
Lecture 9: How to stay engaged and when to disengage: Entrepreneurial passion and learning from failure
Lecture 10: The next phase of the Psychology of Entrepreneurship: Well-being and Mental Health
Assessment details
50% Individual Coursework
40% Group project
10% Group Presentation
Teaching pattern
Weekly Workshops
Suggested reading list
Gielnik, M.M., Cardon, M. S., & Frese, M. (Eds.). (2021). The Psychology of Entrepreneurship: New Perspectives. Routledge.