MGN428 Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:MGN428
Credit points:12
Anti-requisite:GSN410, GSZ410
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces the processes of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, while guiding students along the pathway to discovering their entrepreneurial-selves as they gain hands-on experience with the process. The unit is designed for a broad audience, including managers, human resource managers, business people, professionals in IT, industrial design and engineering graduates, advisors to business start-ups, and those wanting to pursue opportunities for new and existing ventures. In this unit you will develop entrepreneurial thinking and mindset, being able to explore and exploit recognised opportunities. The unit will cover fundamental elements of new venture creation, such as opportunity discovery, feasibility assessment, and social impact through reflective practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Understand your own entrepreneurial skills and mindset through self-discovery and your experiences in the unit. [TS 4.1]
  2. Understand the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. [KS 1.1, SE 5.2]
  3. Develop a business model, including a value proposition, target customers, partners, channels, operations, revenue streams and cost structures, which define a new venture that aims to deliver social impact. [KS 1.2, HO2.2, SE 5.2]
  4. Demonstrate verbal communication skills in describing the entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial venture. [PC 3.2]

Content

  • Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship
  • Social entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial mindset, passion, and self-discovery
  • Opportunity discovery, assessment, feasibility, and exploitation
  • Diffusion of Innovation theory
  • Early adopters
  • Value propositions and social enterprise
  • Product-market fit
  • Risk assessment
  • The elevator pitch
  • Entrepreneurial passion
  • Entrepreneurial resilience

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

This unit utilises class discussion of key concepts, inside class activities, as well as outside class activities. The teaching methods for this unit utilise the integration of theoretical, case study, applied and practical approaches. Students are encouraged to research a business idea and develop a business model that can deliver social impact. The unit employs self-reflection techniques to guide students in their learning of their entrepreneurial skills, as they engage with start-up issues from the entrepreneur's perspective.

 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment you will undertake in this unit will help you explore and unpack the key elements of the entrepreneurial mindset and how they relate to you.The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

  • Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
  • Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment

Through self-reflection report on your current entrepreneurial mindset and profile (e.g. entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial resources and skills, entrepreneurial self-efficacy), and social impact awareness.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), TS (4.1), SE (5.2)

Weight: 30
Length: 1500 words.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: New Venture Pitch

You are required to work in a team to develop a new entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial venture concept during the semester, designed with a social impact. You will then deliver an elevator pitch and discuss the new venture concept you have developed. 

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assessment item is based on teamwork and provides evidence of achievement of associated Unit Learning Outcomes and Course Learning Outcomes. Individual submissions/presentations will not be accepted. Your oral presentations skills will be assessed at the individual level.  

This assessment item requires your attendance at your scheduled presentation session.

The late submission period does not apply, and no assignment extensions are available.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.2),  SE (5.2).

Weight: 40
Length: 20 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3, 4

Assessment: Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan

Develop a self-development plan that incorporates what you have learnt about yourself and your entrepreneurial aspirations through the course of the unit. You will be required to make specific reference to the manner in which you will look to enact positive change in a socially and ethically aligned manner.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), TS (4.1), SE (5.2)

Weight: 30
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Hisrich R.D., Peters, M.P., and Shepherd, D.A., (2013) Entrepreneurship; 9th ed; McGraw Hill New York NY.

Additional references can also be found at the unit's Canvas site.

Ries, E. (2011) The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses; Crown Business USA

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.

You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video http://www.fmd.qut.edu.au/security/dvd/Evacuation_282k.wmv.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO3, New Venture Pitch

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO2, Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan

KS (1.2): Technical, Technological and Research Skills

Relates to: ULO3, New Venture Pitch

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO4, New Venture Pitch

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, New Venture Pitch, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: ULO1, Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS11 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, New Venture Pitch, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan
  3. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, New Venture Pitch
  4. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
    Relates to: ULO3, New Venture Pitch
  5. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4, New Venture Pitch
  6. Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
    Relates to: Entrepreneurial mindset self-assessment, Entrepreneurship Identity Self-Development Plan