Company Growth And Development

Subject description Subject title: Company Development and Growth Content: Why do some companies grow while others do not? Why do some grow quickly whereas others are only able to experience slow growth patterns? What tools can be used to develop a company and, in the end, are entrepreneurs actually willing to expand their businesses? What are the main internal and external factors determining these choices? While searching for answers to these questions, the particular focus of the subject will be on product development and market expansion strategies as tools to achieve growth. Learning objectives: The main objective of the subject is to advance students’ knowledge in the area of company growth and development. After completion of the course, students will possess the abilities to critically assess the situation in a particular company and develop product and market orientation strategies for the firm. Furthermore, students will demonstrate excellent knowledge of the literature on the subject. Working methods: Teamwork, case studies, reading and analysis of assigned relevant literature are the main working methods for this course. Literature: • Winn, J. (2004): Making It Big. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 28(5), 487-500. • Zhou, H. and G. de Wit (2009): Determinants of Dimensions Firm Growth. SCALES: Scientific analysis of entrepreneurship and SMEs, H200903. • Morrison, A., J. Breen and A. Shameem (2003): Small Business Growth: Ability, Intention, and Opportunity. Journal of Small Business Management, 41(4), 417-425. • Davidsson, P., B. Kirchhoff, A. Hatemi-J. and H. Gustavsson (2002): Empirical Analysis of Business Growth Factors Using Swedish Data. Journal of Small Business Management, 40(4), 332-349. • Wiklund, J., P. Davidsson and F. Delmar (2003): What Do They Think and Feel About Growth. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Spring 2003. • Bechetti, L. and G. Trovate (2002): The Determinants of Growth for Small and Medium Sized Firms. The Role of the Availability of External Finance. Small Business Economics, 19, 291- 316.

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Barringer, B., F. Jones and D. Neubaum (2005): A Quantitative Content Analysis of the Characteristics of Rapid Growth Firms and Their Founders. Journal of Business Venturing, 20, 663-687. Lechner, C., M. Dowling and I. Welpe (2006): Firm Networks and Firm Development: The Role of the Relational Mix. Journal of Business Venturing, 21, 514- 540. Shane, S. and F. Delmar (2004): Planning for the Market: Business Planning Before Marketing and the Continuation of Organizing Efforts. Journal of Business Venturing, 19, 767- 785. Park, S. and Z-T. Bae (2004): New Venture Strategies in a Developing Country: Identifying a Typology and Examining Growth Patterns Through Case Studies. Journal of Business Venturing, 19, 81-105.

Contact information of supervisor: Dr. Arnis Sauka Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Strelnieku street 4a Riga, LV 1010, Latvia E-mail: [email protected] Expected outcomes: • Group report = 10-15 pages (one page: approx. 2600 characters incl. spaces) • Presentation = 5 minutes/student for each presentation (all group members should present)