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2026/2027  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, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 10
Max. participants 30
Study board
Study Board for Master i forretningsudvikling
Programme Master of Business Development
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 18-06-2026

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 and Summer
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

Business development as an organisational practice asks the question: “How do we develop our businesses?” It involves systematically managing growth opportunities that necessitate changes in the business model and/or strategy. To provide a solid overview of business development, the two aspects are treated in combination, but the focus will be on changes in the business model and the associated strategic issues and implications.

The course also provides insights into the implementation of innovations in the business model for strategy development – including how strategy is realised through an interplay between intended plans and sudden events.

 

Your benefits

  • Be able to compare, combine, and adapt various tools and theories from the course.
  • Be able to use customised tools and theories to analyse specific business development cases and draw managerial conclusions based on the analysis.
  • Be able to argue why the conclusion is relevant for the specific organisation in its particular situation.

 

Themes

  • Business objectives
  • Development of business models and innovation
  • Strategy formulation and development
  • Business development as a conscious process
  • Managing growth opportunities

 

 

 
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
  • New theory
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
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 109,5 hours
Lectures 28 hours
Last updated on 18-06-2026