Module Details

Module Code: AGRI8008
Title: Agribusiness Enterprise
Long Title: Agribusiness Enterprise
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3450 - Business & Management
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module has the dual aim of introducing the student to the theory and the practice of entrepreneurship in the context of Agriculture and Horticulture related enterprise in Ireland. The module will profile the role of entrepreneurship and consider the skills and know-how necessary to develop a business opportunity.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine the role and importance of entrepreneurship in small and large agribusiness development with particular emphasis on the application of Advanced Technology.
LO2 Compare and Contrast employee and entrepreneurial career paths and associated skillsets.
LO3 Discuss the stages, issues and challenges involved in setting up and growing an enterprise.
LO4 Identify and evaluate the sources of assistance and finance available to start-up and expanding firms.
LO5 Identify value in Intellectual Property and apply effective intellectual property rights solutions for business proposals.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
None
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
None
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
Entrepreneurship
The nature and importance of entrepreneurs, decisions, process, role in economic development, background and characteristics. Entrepreneurship and its contribution to society and economic development. Building the entrepreneurial team. Intrapreneurship.
Advanced Technology & IT
Dairy herd management Packages IFC, Kingswood, Internet in the field, GPS farm mapping, 3G Discussion group, precision Guidance, on-the-go sensors, Geographical Information Systems, Heat technology, In parlour Technology. Horticulture specific packages. Technology adoption and implementation.
The Individual Entrepreneur
The role of the Entrepreneur, characteristics and motivations, role models and support systems, male versus female. Self employment versus PAYE employment Skill set comparison.
Business Growth & Development
Business life cycle, issues and challenges in setting up and scaling an enterprise, Co-operative membership, growth and development.
Financial Resourcing
Sources of seed and venture capital. Internal versus external sources, debt versus equity considerations. Suitability of venture capitalists and the stock market for SMEs. Government grants and state supports.
Intellectual Property
The legal form options of the new venture. Intellectual Property Rights; patents, trademarks, copyright protection and licensing agreements. Commercialisation issues. Licensing versus Spin-out.
Entrepreneurship in Practice
Case studies in Entrepreneurship and business proposals.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Review of Entrepreneurship in an Agribusiness context
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 60
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Group project and Presentation e.g." Selecting an Agribusiness of your choice, discuss and assess the impact on the company’s life cycle of Technology, Intellectual Property and Finance.”
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecturer delivery of course material and involvement of guest speakers. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Discussion forum for case work and overview of technology Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self Directed Study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecturer delivery of course material and involvement of guest speakers. Every Week 1.50 1.5
Lab Contact Discussion forum for case work and overview of technology Every Week 0.50 0.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self Directed Study Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Kathleen Allen. (2016), Launching New Ventures: An Entrepreneurial Approach, 7th. Cangage Learning, USA, [ISBN: 1305102509].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • R. Hisrich, M. Peters & D. Shepherd. (2012), Entrepreneurship, 9th. McGraw Hill International, USA, [ISBN: 0078029198].
  • David Gibson. (2010), The Streetwise Guide to Being Enterprising, Oak Tree Press, Ireland, [ISBN: 9781904887324].
  • David Gibson. (2010), The Streetwise Guide to being Enterprising Workbook and Journal, Oak Tree Press, Ireland, [ISBN: 9781904887331].
  • Peggy A. Lambing & Charles R. Kuehl. (2014), Entrepreneurship, 4th. Pearson, UK, [ISBN: 101292040009].
  • Jack M. Kaplan & Anthony C. Warren. (2010), Patterns of Entrepreneurship, 3rd. Wiley, USA, [ISBN: 9780470169698].
  • Thomas M. Cooney. (2010), Irish cases in Entrepreneurship, 2nd. Blackhall Publishing, Ireland, [ISBN: 9783838355641].
  • Colette Henry & Pauric McGowan. (2007), Irish Cases in Entrepreneurship, Blackhall Publishing, Ireland, [ISBN: 978-1-842181-249].
  • Robert B. Mellor. (2009), Entrepreneurship for Everybody, Sage, UK, [ISBN: 9781412947763].
  • Brian O Kane. (2010), Starting a Business in Ireland, 6th. Oak Tree Press, Ireland, [ISBN: 9781904887379].
  • Max McKeown. (2014), The Innovation Book - How to Manage Ideas and Execution for Outstanding Results., FT Publishing, [ISBN: 1292011904].
  • Sara Carter & Dylan Jones Evans. (2012), Enterprise and Small Business, 3rd. Pearson Education, UK, [ISBN: 9780273726111].
  • David Deakins & Mark Freel. (2012), Entrepreneurship and Small Firms, 6th. McGraw Hill, UK, [ISBN: 9780077136451].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Journal, International Small Business Management.
  • Journal, Journal of Small Business Management.
  • Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.
  • Journal, European Small Business Journal.
  • Journal, Journal of Business Venturing.
  • Journal, Harvard Business Review.
  • Journal, Entrepreneurship and Personal Development.
  • Jules Pretty. (2007), Agricultural sustainability: concepts, principles and evidence, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 363, p.447-465, [ISSN: 1474-2970].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BAGRI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture 6 Mandatory
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 6 Mandatory