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Courses for Master Students

Here you can find an overview of current modules for the master degree. You can find a general overview of the courses here.

  • Business Model Innovation

    Course description

    Well-known industry giants of the past, like Kodak or Yahoo, have disappeared while other firms, like Google, Uber or Blinkist, have become rising stars. Why is this the case? In order to understand these developments, it is advisable to examine their business models, namely how enterprises create, deliver and capture value. Nowadays, a company's long-term competitive success depends to a large extent upon its ability to create an innovative business model. For many start-ups a business model innovation is often the starting point. The entrepreneur creates consumer value by offering new ways of doing business. Similarly, incumbent firms have to find innovative ways of doing business and replace old, outdated business models in order to survive. This implies for existing firms to critically evaluate their business model and eventually to transform their organization and business model.

    In this course, students will reflect upon business model innovations of start-ups and incumbent firms. An introduction to the theoretical foundations and tools of business model innovations are provided in the first part of the lecture. Multiple examples of business model innovations are discussed in class. The Business Model Canvas (BMC) by Osterwalder and Pigneur (2010) will be introduced as it is a very powerful and frequently used tool to systematically understand and analyze business models. Students will also be acquainted with external factors that drive business model innovations. In particular, technological trends like the internet, cloud computing or artificial intelligence have tremendously influenced the creation of new business models. Moreover, the Covid-19 crisis is challenging many existing business models, leading to business crisis, painful bankruptcies and hence to the breakdown of hitherto (successful) business models. This new era of creative destruction (Schumpeter, 1942), however, also allows for genuine business model innovations.

    In the second part of the lecture students themselves (in groups) will apply their analytical skills and appropriate tools to examine business models in selected industries. Each group will present their findings in class, leading towards a vivid class discussion.

    Throughout the semester we will welcome various business practitioners who will provide hands-on insights into business model innovations.

    Organization

    The course is held in English. Therefore, the lecture, presentations and the final examination are held in English. Guest lectures by invited speakers might take place in English or German. 

    Course registration is required via the Campus Management System MARVIN.

     First lecture + exercise class: 18. October 2022, 8h15 – 12h00

    type of event: lecture (6 ECTS)
    lecturer: Prof. Dr. Vivien Procher
    regular cycle: winter term
    exam form: written exam
    teaching and examination language: English
    Link to MARVIN:
    		 lecture and exercise link

  • Current Topics in Entrepreneurship

    Course description
    Entrepreneurship is a multifaceted phenomenon, and this course will dive deeper into various current topics in entrepreneurship. After a short introduction to entrepreneurship, students will be get acquainted with hybrid entrepreneurship, i.e., the combination of entrepreneurship and paid employment. Even though hybrid entrepreneurs start most ventures, this topic has only recently received more scholarly attention. Turning towards established companies, competitive pressure requires those firms to transform and remain innovative. However, how can firms keep the creative spirit of young start-ups? Corporate entrepreneurship deals with established firms’ entrepreneurial behavior and strategies. Hence, firms need to create an environment that supports employees with an entrepreneurial mindset.

    In the second half of the lecture, students will get acquainted with social entrepreneurship. Besides economic goals, social entrepreneurs care about today’s global challenges aiming to create a business with a social, sustainable, or cultural impact. While the number of women running their venture is slowly growing (still less than 20% in Germany), women still seem to face specific hurdles in growing their business. Hence, we need to develop a better understanding of female entrepreneurship. Finally, we will draw our attention to entrepreneurial policy issues. Why should governments support entrepreneurs, and what do they do to help entrepreneurial activities? Governments and public policy are vital in creating a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs.

    Several invited guest speakers will provide real-world insights and allow students to discuss current topics in entrepreneurship further.

    Prerequisite
    It is helpful if students have attended introductory courses in Entrepreneurship and Applied Econometrics.

    Organization
    The entire course is held in English (including the exam). Guest lectures by invited speakers might take place in English or German.

    Course registration is required via the Campus Management System MARVIN.

    First lecture: 13. April 2022, 10h-12h

    First exercise class / tutorial: 25. April 2022, 10h-12h or 12h-14h


    type of event: lecture + tutorial (6 ECTS)
    lecturer: Prof. Dr. Vivien Procher
    regular cycle: summer term
    exam form: written exam
    teaching and examination language: English
    Link to MARVIN: lecture link
    exercise link

  • Master Seminar Entrepreneurship & Innovative Business Models (seminar summer term)

     Venture Expedition Berlin: a 4-day seminar for Master's and PhD students of FB02 in Berlin.
     
    WHY
    Berlin is an attractive location for start-ups in Germany. It has the highest density of start-ups per 100,000 inhabitants at 35.6 and is also home to several unicorns. To explore and learn more about this start-up landscape, this seminar will take place in Berlin for four days, where participants can meet and exchange ideas with experts.
    In the past, countless start-ups have revolutionized the market and consumer behavior with innovative products or services. Especially the field of medicine and digitalization is in demand. As Germany works on support methods for business foundations, one can be sure that the number and importance of start-ups will increase soon. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of this topic is valuable for academic and professional purposes.

    WHAT
    Founders and leading voices from Factory Berlin, HelloFresh, Grover, Siemens Mobility, Porsche Ventures, and SAP Innovation Center will share their stories and give students the unique opportunity to ask for opinions, inspiration, and personal experiences. They will then submit their presentation on the assigned topics for their final grade of this 6 ECTS semester.

    HOW
    Apply now until February 20, 2023 (23h59) by submitting your application consisting of a 1-page motivational letter, CV, and current Transcript of Records to entrepreneurship@wiwi.uni-marburg.de. Please use "Application | Venture Expedition Berlin | Summer 23" as the subject line for your e-mail.

    type of event: seminar (6 ECTS)
    lecturer: Prof. Dr. Vivien Procher
    exam form: presentation + written seminar paper
    teaching and examination language: English
    Link to MARVIN: seminar link