Origins and Evolution of New Ventures Assignment: Case Study for Insights into Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

ESSAY

In this essay, you are to discuss “The origins and evolution of new ventures” using:

• Your knowledge from the module, and specifically the module readings. (see below)
• Information on a venture – Secondary material based on a published book on a single entrepreneur/new venture or other secondary material (e.g., podcast, multiple newspaper articles/ magazines/etc). Note, you must have sufficient source material, and a single newspaper/magazine story will not provide this.

1. Structure – see below.
2. Style:

• 2,500 words (excluding reference list, appendices).
• Spacing: preferably 1.5 spacing; but NOT double spaced.
• Submit an electronic copy.
• This essay should be appropriately cited/referenced.
• Start each section of the essay (title, case study, analysis, and discussion on a new page.

3. Guidance and advice- case study selection:

• You do not have to choose an Irish venture/founder. While the focus of the module (and to an extent your programme) is ‘technology’ ventures, you do not have to choose a ‘high tech’ venture. In most cases, you should be able to connect the venture to the focus of your programme- most ventures will have an element of technology, marketing, innovation (and digital).
• You may include some images, if appropriate, on the title page or as part of the case study.
• Be conscious of context – where did the start-up occur, what was happening in technology/ market, etc.

Structure:

• Title page: (e.g., The origins and evolution of XXXX, with a subtitle emphasising an issue you emphasise in the analysis of your case study)
• Literature Review [readings] – 900 words

Review the evidence (what we know) on new venture creation processes, including the resourcing of new ventures, and on entrepreneurs, using the readings from the module [identifying all that are significant/relevant, noting that readings do not strictly demarcate to just one topic on the module]. This review should not summarise the readings but rather be ‘critical’ in the sense of identifying the core argument/ideas, identifying what we know on the specific topic, and critically analysing and evaluating these arguments[1] and identifying the implications for the ‘practice’ of entrepreneurship.

• Case study (book) – 500 words
• Data sources: Statement of source: date/time/length/location/, etc. of interview or citation to the book) (a paragraph at most). Include links if appropriate.
• A structured descriptive synopsis of the new venture/entrepreneur (team), using quotes as appropriate.
• Discussion – 500 words
• Focus on one aspect [the most interesting aspect] of your case and do the following:
• Step 1: State a proposition/argument from the literature (as reviewed above).
• Step 2. Present what happened in the case study – using quotes, timelines, etc. as appropriate.
• Step 3. Discuss what your case study tells us about (i) what we know already on this topic, (ii) how our explanations might be improved, and (iii) implications for the practice of entrepreneurship.
• Conclusion – what your review and your case study say about the ‘origins and growth of new ventures’ – 100 words
• Reference List – reading cited in your paper only. [Not included word count].
• You only need to review the readings in the module outline.
• List source material for the case study in the body of the report.