Innovative Management and Entrepreneurship

Faculty

Faculty of Agricultural Science and Landscape Architecture

Version

Version 1 of 22.04.2025.

Module identifier

44M0219

Module level

Master

Language of instruction

German

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only summer term

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Teaching and learning outcomes

1. changing corporate environments and their entrepreneurial challenges (VUCA environment with case studies from the agricultural and food industry) 2. requirements and opportunities for meaningful, innovative forms of corporate management such as agile leadership, leadership agility, scrum, holocracy, etc. 3. basics of change management and organisational development for the introduction of innovative corporate management; challenges of employee motivation in corporate management, leadership. 4. basics of founding a company (forms of founding and their evaluation, risks in founding and forms of protection, legal issues in the context of founding, funding opportunities). 5. methods, implementation and communication of business model development (megatrend analysis, canvas model, St. Gallen Business Model Generator, video pitch). 6. introduction to the instrument of a business plan.

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
30SeminarPresence-
20LecturePresence or online-
Lecturer independent learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
20Work in small groups-
30Preparation/follow-up for course work-
50Exam preparation-
Graded examination
  • Written examination or
  • oral exam or
  • Project Report, written
Remark on the assessment methods

The type of examination is determined jointly by the group at the beginning of the semester. (written examination or project report) are the predominant forms of examination.

The project report is about substantiating the case study developed in the module on the basis of heuristic methods by analysing secondary data and preparing it adequately for evaluation by third parties (e.g. investors, management, funding institutions, etc.).

Exam duration and scope

see above

Recommended prior knowledge

Strategic management / corporate management in the Bachelor's programme would be advantageous, but not mandatory.

Knowledge Broadening

Students have knowledge of the challenges of corporate management and leadership in a changed corporate environment. Students are familiar with various criteria and implementation options as well as standard requirements for innovative corporate management. They are familiar with the challenges of change management in companies and have basic knowledge of the approach to change processes in strategy and organisational development. You will be familiar with the requirements and tasks involved in setting up a company as well as the risks and protection options. They will be familiar with different methods of business model development and forms of communication for presenting business models.

Knowledge deepening

They have detailed knowledge of the different approaches to innovative corporate management and the tools for implementing them in the company. They are familiar with megatrends and know how these can be used to develop business models using various methods.

Knowledge Understanding

Students are able to recognise differences in innovative business management and possible starting points in organisations, to evaluate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various starting points. They are able to develop a business model and initiate the most important steps for founding a company. You will be able to recognise risks with regard to a possible start-up and select, evaluate and take precautionary measures. You will be able to create a change and implementation concept and identify the barriers to change, willingness and ability to change and develop solution concepts.

Application and Transfer

The input on theoretical knowledge is transferred directly into practice throughout the module. The module is based on a given or self-created case study. All tools and techniques are practised and applied to the case study.

Academic Innovation

Scientific innovation and instrumental expertise
You use procedures and methods in the field of change management. You will also use innovative methods from corporate development and innovation management. These include, for example, the Canvas methods, the St. Gallen Business Model Generator Tool, to develop a business model. The Blue Ocean Strategy. Constellation formats for change management, etc.

Communication and Cooperation

Through the high proportion of implementation and transfer in group exercises, moderation of the groups and presentation of the results, the joint critical evaluation and reflection, students practise exchanging information in an interdisciplinary and subject-related manner, evaluating problem solutions and weighing up solution options scientifically and with regard to their practical suitability. Challenging exercises, which have to be solved in a team, enable students to recognise dilemmas in strategic decisions and identify appropriate solutions. 

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

 They can evaluate existing and self-developed business models and change projects with regard to consistency and prospects of success using scientific and proven methods.

Literature

AHREND, K. M. (2016): Geschäftsmodell Nachhaltigkeit – Ökologische und soziale Innovationen als unternehmerische Chance. Springer-Gabler Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg.

BINDER, U. (2013): Nachhaltige Unternehmensführung, 1. Aufl., Haufe Gruppe, Freiburg/München.

BUTZNER-STROTHMANN, K., AHLERS, F. (Hrsg.) (2020): Integrierte nachhaltige Unternehmensführung, Gabler-Verlag/Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden Gmbh, Wiesbaden.

GRIESE, K.-M./SCHNITKER, K. (voraussichtlich 2022): Nachhaltigkeitsmarketing. Eine fallstudienbasierte Einführung. Springer-Verlag, Wiesbaden.

IPCC (2022): Sechster Sachstandsbericht des Weltklimarates, Summary for Policy Makers, report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg2/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGII_SummaryForPolicymakers.pdf, download 28.03.2022.

MÜLLER-CHRIST, G. (2020): Eine systemische Erzählung über die Integration von Nachhaltigkeit in unternehmerische Entscheidungen. In: Butzer-Strothmann, K.; Ahlers, F. (2020), Integrierte nachhaltige Unternehmensführung, Springer-Gabler Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg.

RAWORTH, K. (2018): Die Donut-Ökonomie, Carl-Hanser-Verlag, München.

RUSSO, M. V. (2010): Companies on a Mission, Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, USA. 

SCHRADER, C., VOLLMER, B. (2013): Green Controlling: ein wesentlicher Schritt auf dem Weg zur nachhaltig orientierten
Unternehmensführung, PFH, No. 2013/04, Private Hochschule Göttingen, www.pfh.de/sites/default/files/2021-10/green_controlling_ein_wesentlicher_schritt_auf_dem_weg_zur_nachhaltig_orientierten_unternehmensfuehrung__schrader_Vollmar_fp_2013_04.pdf, download 15.04.2022.

TOKARSKI, K.-O., SCHELLINGER, J., BERCHTOLD, P. (Hrsg.) (2019): Nachhaltige Unternehmensführung, Herausforderungen und Beispiele aus der Praxis, Springer Gabler Verlag, Wiesbaden.

WELLBROCK, W., LUDIN, D., KRAUTER, S. (2020): Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling. Instrumente und Kennzahlen für die strategische und operative Unternehmensführung. Springer Fachmedien, Wiesbaden.

WITTER, C., MICUS, F.-W. (2020): Nachhaltiger Unternehmenserfolg am Beispiel von Symrise. In: Butzer-Strothmann, K.; Ahlers, F. (2020), Integrierte nachhaltige Unternehmensführung, Springer-Gabler Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg.

Linkage to other modules

The module can be combined well with other modules with Ms Schnitker such as: International Management or is a good prerequisite for the start-up project in the 3rd semester. The modules in Mr Enneking's, Meseth's, Recke/Währisch's and Kussin's catalogue are also well suited to be combined with this module. The Future Skills module has various courses. The courses Agile Leadership, Systemic Leadership and Ego Development as well as Methodical Invention are well suited to form a basis.

Applicability in study programs

  • Applied Livestock Sciences
    • Applied Livestock Sciences M.Sc. (01.09.2025)

  • Agriculture, Food Science and Business
    • Agriculture, Food Science and Business M.Sc. (01.09.2025)

    Person responsible for the module
    • Schnitker, Karin
    Teachers
    • Schnitker, Karin
    Further lecturer(s)

    Vertreter Prof. Dr. Jan Berstermann, Unterstützende Moderation WiMA Lea Prein