COURSE DESCRIPTION

Objectives

The objective of the seminar is to give students insight about the major theoretical subjects in the field of entrepreneurship. It will also examine the methodologies used in this area. Students will learn about various perspectives, examine different methodologies, explore some original empirical research and make connections between theory and empirical research.

Public concerned

This seminar is addressed to doctoral students who have completed the first part of the program organised by the thematic doctoral school in management (Ecole Doctorale Thématique en Sciences de Gestion). The content of the seminar is particularly adapted for students which research focus is in the field of entrepreneurship.

 Pedagogical approach

The focus will be on student’s presentations and on interactive discussions. The seminar will be conducted as a discussion about the major themes in the field. Students are expected to have red the articles, to prepare a summary paper of the readings assigned and to come prepared to discuss and critique them. In addition, each student will serve as the discussion leader for one article in each of the class sessions. Discussion leaders will present a summary of the reading and also prepare questions. They are expected to act as a moderator of the discussion.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated according to:

– The quality of class presentation and the moderation of class discussions (50%)

–  A short report of 10 pages presenting a literature review related to their research subject (50%)

Admission to the seminar

The admission to the seminar is subject to the following conditions:

–      Candidates are required to send a one page document describing (1) a short description of their research interests and (2) a motivation about why they plan to take the seminar.

–      The seminar will not be organized unless a minimum of 5 candidates participate.

Program an organisation

The detailed programme will be defined after a discussion between candidates and the professor. It will be defined according to the research interests of participants. There will be about 5 sessions.

The seminar will take place in the second semester.

Recommended readings

Davidsson, P. (2004).  Researching Entrepreneurship.  Boston: Springer.

Acs, Z. J. & Audretsch, D. B. (2003).  Handbook of Entrepreneurship Research: An Interdisciplinary Survey and Introduction.  Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Gartner, William B., Shaver, Kelly G., Carter, Nancy M. and Paul D. Reynolds.  (2004)  Handbook of Entrepreneurial Dynamics: The Process of Business Creation.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Guidelines for preparing for the seminar sessions 

The following questions are designed to help you prepare for the seminar sessions. Please use them as a general guide and not as a strict outline to respect.

1.         What kind of phenomena and/or problems are the authors concerned with describing and/or explaining?

2.         By what methods do they think such knowledge can be acquired? By what methods do they think such knowledge can be applied?

3.         What are their key concepts?  How are these concepts connected?

4.         What kind of data do they collect?

5.         What are their major contributions?

–  More descriptive information about a particular phenomenon?

–  A new conceptual scheme (useful way of thinking) for (I) investigation and research; (ii) improved practice; or (iii) both?

–  A new method or a refinement of an old one?

–  New findings (empirical generalizations, correlations, statements that a significant relationship exists between X and Y, causal relations)?

–  A new theoretical explanation for the findings?

6.         What assumptions are they making with respect to values, human nature, method?

7.         What are some of the major weaknesses of their work?  How might these weaknesses be addressed?