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2025/2026  BA-BHAAV2504U  Psychology of Entrepreneurship

English Title
Psychology of Entrepreneurship

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board of General Management
Course coordinator
  • Orsola Garofalo - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Entrepreneurship
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 30-01-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the traits and characteristics that distinguish successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs, considering factors such as biology, personality, identity, cognition, motivation, emotion, and behavior.
  • Acquire in-depth knowledge of the theoretical frameworks underlying the psychology of entrepreneurship, encompassing multiple perspectives that explain the preconditions, processes, and outcomes of entrepreneurship at the individual level. Reflect critically on the practical applications and relevance of these theories to entrepreneurial practice.
  • Analyze both the positive (e.g., well-being, satisfaction, wealth) and negative (e.g., stress, burnout, failure) aspects of entrepreneurship, recognizing its complexity as a multi-level and multi-dimensional phenomenon.
  • Understand the psychological aspects of social entrepreneurship and its role in modern society. Utilize this understanding to identify and assess individual entrepreneurial traits and to propose actionable recommendations for sustainable entrepreneurship and meaningful social impact.
Course prerequisites
No prerequisites
Examination
Psychology of Entrepreneurship:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 3 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter and Winter
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • Language dictionaries in paper format
The student will have access to
  • basic IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course examines the psychology underlying entrepreneurship, with a focus on the individuals involved in these processes. Drawing on the latest research, the course explores the psychological foundations of entrepreneurship, including the personality, biology, and social identity of entrepreneurs, and considers whether entrepreneurial abilities are innate or developed. It also investigates how entrepreneurs make decisions under uncertainty, leveraging cognitive strategies such as working memory, growth mindset, and heuristics to recognize and exploit opportunities creatively.

Key topics include the emotional and motivational drivers of entrepreneurial action, such as passion for founding or growing ventures and the experience of grief from business failures.

The course explores the psychological underpinnings of entrepreneurial preconditions, processes, and outcomes within both startups and established businesses.
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
Teaching includes a mix of theory inputs, practical examples, case study work, interactive group work.
Feedback during the teaching period
Office hours
Student workload
Preparation (inlcuding exam preparation) 165 hours
Teaching 38 hours
Examination 3 hours
Last updated on 30-01-2025