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2023/2024  MA-MMBDO1011U  Business Development

English Title
Business Development

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Part Time Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 10
Max. participants 30
Study board
Study Board for Master i forretningsudvikling
Course coordinator
  • Claus Varnes - Department of Marketing (Marketing)
  • Mogens Bjerre - Department of Marketing (Marketing)
Main academic disciplines
  • Organisation
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 03-07-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • An ability to compare, combine and adapt tools and theories from the course
  • An ability to use customized tools and theories to analyze specific business development cases and to come up with managerial conclusions based on the analysis
  • An ability to argue why that conclusion is relevant to the specific organization in its specific situation
Course prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for your participation. The course is relevant for you who want to gain great insight into business development as a topic and in the different ways of looking at companies' business development.

Please note that participation on any of the specialised formats of this course will entail and assumption that the participant has a prior knowledge and interest within the particular area.
Examination
Business Development:
Exam ECTS 5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 3 pages
Assignment type Synopsis
Release of assignment An assigned subject is released in class
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam Home assignment - written product
Size of written product: Max. 10 pages
Assignment type: Written assignment
Release of assignment: An assigned subject is released in class
Duration: Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Description of the exam procedure

The examination is a 20-minute oral examination based on a 3-page synopsis. Synopsis must present an organization's business model of maximum 1 page, a discussion of issues in relation to business development for this organization (of approximately 1 page), and proposals for the strategic implementation (of approximately 1 page) - ie. synopsis must be concluded with relevant managerial conclusion (action proposal). The oral exam starts with discussing the synopsis but will also include questions regarding other topics from the course. The grade is given according to the above learning goals - and the students must make sure that they meet and express these learning goals in their synopsis and at the oral exam.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

All companies are obligated to understand their business, find ways in which to develop it and if necessary make changes to their business. The course in business development gives you the tools and insights through which, to analyse and point out challenges with the existing as well as new business models. Furthermore the course gives insights in to the implementation of innovations in the business models with an eye on strategy development, including how strategy is realized through an interaction between intended  plans and the occurrence of sudden events.

Business should be seen in relation to development of the business model and development of the strategy.

Business development as an organic function often focuses on the systemic handling of growth-opportunities available within the existing business model and strategy. Business development as an organic practice meanwhile necessitates a broader perspective that might include changes in the strategy.

 

Business development as an organic practice poses the question: ”How do we develop our business?” This includes a systemic handling of growth potentials, that necessitates changes in the business model and (or strategy). In order to provide a solid review of business development both aspects will be undertaken in combination, with a focus on changes to the business model as well as the associated strategic issues and implications.

 

Specifically concerning the specialisations

 

The Life Science specilaisation:

The course gives insight in to the challenges confronted by the life sciences. It looks at the implementation of business development practices with effects on strategy development – including how strategy is realized through plans and emerging events.

Moreover, the course discusses the interplay between product categories in new combination products and the necessary supporting business development activities. Digitalization of products, processes and innovation and the convergence of tech, bio and pharma industries is investigated. Different business agreements such as licensing agreements will be discussed. Finally, business development activities such as crowdsourcing and accelerator models will be introduced in more detail.

 

 
Description of the teaching methods
The course will be organized in full-day, workshop-style blocks. It applies an interactive and problem-based teaching approach and combines a mix of mini lectures, ad-hoc group work based on mini-exercises, case study analysis, in-class presentations and discussions, and guest speakers.
Feedback during the teaching period
Opportunity for feedback doing the teaching days.
Student workload
Preparation and exam 105 hours
Lectures 32 hours
Last updated on 03-07-2023