Social and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
In a world characterized by increasing dynamism, technological shifts, and complex global challenges, there is a need for entrepreneurs, leaders, and employees who can both identify new opportunities and create engagement for change and value creation.
This course provides insight into how different forms of entrepreneurship—commercial, social, and sustainable—can contribute to creating economic value, solving societal challenges, and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Commercial entrepreneurship often forms the foundation for sustainable growth and innovation and can simultaneously be closely linked to social and environmental objectives. The interplay between these forms of entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important as organizations must balance economic profitability with social responsibility and sustainability.
Students will learn how entrepreneurs can develop profitable, responsible, and socially beneficial initiatives, and how commercial strategies, social purposes, and sustainability principles can be integrated into new business models. The course also provides a broader understanding of how entrepreneurship can help address climate action, social inequality, resource scarcity, and other contemporary challenges.
It is possible to apply for admission to the course as a single course. There are reservations about the available capacity on the course. The applicant must meet the current admission requirements for the Master of Science in Global Management program or Master in Entrepreneurship and Business Development program.
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, the student will have:
- In-depth knowledge of tools for identifying entrepreneurial opportunities within commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship, and how such opportunities can be seized through resource mobilization.
- In-depth knowledge of key theories and concepts within commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship, as well as insight into how these forms of entrepreneurship can complement and influence each other.
- Advanced knowledge of different types of business models—both commercial and social—and how these can be designed, combined, and adapted to create economic value while delivering social and environmental benefits.
- Advanced knowledge of drivers and barriers for commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship, as well as strategies that promote growth, survival, and societal impact for various types of entrepreneurial initiatives.
Skills
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Critically apply entrepreneurial tools to identify, develop, and seize complex opportunities across commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
- Use relevant theory and tools to develop, revise, and evaluate a feasible and innovative strategic plan that balances economic, social, and environmental objectives.
- Develop and optimize entrepreneurial business models that combine commercial profitability with social and sustainable impact.
- Analyze barriers and critically reflect on the impact of entrepreneurial initiatives using tools such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the triple bottom line, and other frameworks that link value creation and societal impact.
General Competence
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement advanced entrepreneurial projects, including projects with both commercial and societal objectives.
- Communicate work processes and results clearly and professionally, using concepts and perspectives from commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
- Demonstrate the ability to give and receive constructive feedback that promotes learning and development in entrepreneurial teams.
- Present and pitch entrepreneurial concepts convincingly to various audiences, with both commercial and societal focus.
Assembly-based teaching, campus and digital.
The course consists of lectures, workshop, group work, presentation and peer feedback rounds. Lectures present key concepts and theories related to social and sustainable entrepreneurship. Active participation is expected. Students are expected to do pre-class work before attending.
Students participate in a workshop at the beginning of the course where they gain an understanding of the tools used to address ill-defined challenges: defining needs, creating opportunities, and generating solutions.
Students use relevant tools to develop a strategic plan for social and/or sustainable entrepreneurship, which is part of their coursework (graded, 30/100).
Students present their work and provide constructive feedback to each other. Final presentation round is mandatory for participation (graded, 10/100).