Study Guide

Objective

The student is able to analyse, evaluate, lead and develop new business in an internationally and multicultural environment. He/she knows the principles of innovation tools and development of international business. Student knows the innovation tools and is able to apply them international environment. Student is able to develop business models and commercialize business innovations. Student is able to train organizations for business innovation operations. Student is able to develop a plan for implementing innovative business models in an international environment. Student is able to work in a regional, transnational and interdisciplinary team.

Main competences on the course: operating in a workplace, learning to learn, internationality and multiculturalism

Content

- Innovation tools
- Business models
- Development of new international business
- Multicultural teamwork

Location and time

Business design project: Online information session for Lapland UAS and Kajaani UAS students during 12 Monday 18.3.2024 at 12:45 - 13:30

Mandatory participation during all phases of activities:

Online introductory sessions for all students during week 15, 8-10.4.2024.

Online team-work activities.

Contact week workshop/conference in week 20, 13 - 17 May, 2024 in Tornio, Finland.

Materials

Lewrick, M., Link P. and Leifer L. (2018) The Design Thinking Playbook​

Ries E. (2017) The Startup Way. Portfoli Penquin.

Bessant J. and Tidd J. (2015). Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wiley​

Teaching methods

Students from Lapland UAS, Kajaani UAS, Ulster University, Kempten UAS and Romanian American University design new business models in mixed teams of students from these countries.

Design thinking is used to generate idea(s) to address/tackle assignments commissioned by case companies (existing businesses) for strategic development in their operations or to aid them to go international.

The first phase involves the online kick-off, introductory and design thinking sessions to be held during week 15, 8-10.4.2024 at 11:00-17:00..

The second phase involves the students' teams to familiarise themselves with each other for team bonding, and the design thinking tools along with the cases presented.

The third phase involves a workshop/conference week that will be organised in Tornio, Finland in week 20 between 13 - 17 May, 2024 at 9:00-17:00 during which the teams will possibly visit the case companies, work intensively on their idea generations and pitch their final output (business models) to a jury for evaluation.


This is a great opportunity for students to network with Finns, Germans, Irish and Romanians in Tornio during the week-long workshop/conference. Students acquire 5 ECTS when they participate and cooperate in all the three phases.

This is a good opportunity for those who are not able to go on a long-term exchange abroad.

International connections

An opportunity to network with international lecturers and students.

Content scheduling

Business Innovation
Design Thinking
Sustainable Actions
International Teams
Reporting

Further information

Final report to be submitted in Moodle.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1-2: The student
- is able to master and analyze principles of innovation tools in international contexts.
- is able to understand cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to train organizations for innovation tool.
- Is able to plan and develop business models for a start-up or and existing enterprise in a team.
- Is able to actively participate in the transnational and interdisciplinary team-work.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3-4: The student
- is able to analyze and evaluate principles of innovation in international contexts.
- is able to independently and in collaboration to analyze and evaluate cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to analyze and develop organizations for innovation tools and development of new international business.
- is able to plan business models for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.
- is able to actively participate and show creativity in the transnational team-work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5: The student
- is able to independently and creatively develop, evaluate and lead principles of innovation in international contexts.
- is able to independently, creatively and in collaboration develop, evaluate and lead cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to develop, evaluate and lead organizations for innovation tools and innovative business models.
- is able to actively participate in the transnational team-work and shows innovative leadership skills.
- is able to develop, evaluate and lead a business model innovation for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.

Assessment methods and criteria

1 - 2 Student shows readiness to plan and develop business models for a start-up or and existing enterprise in a team.
Student takes actively part in the transnational and interdisciplinary team-work.
3 - 4 Student shows good readiness to plan business models for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.
Student takes actively part in the transnational team-work and shows creativity.
5 Student shows excellent readiness to plan a business model for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.
Student takes active part in the transnational team-work and shows innovative leadership skills.