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System Analysis of Entrepreneurship

Course developer

Course abstract

The course provides students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of systems, systematicality and system thinking in entrepreneurship, as well as theoretical knowledge of and practical skills in the construction of causal loop diagrams and the use of system thinking tools. After completing the course, the student is able to use system thinking to develop and justify solutions to complex problems.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a system, systematicality and system thinking in entrepreneurship – a seminar class, a test.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of causal loop diagrams and their construction rules – a test.
• Independently construct causal loop diagrams to find solutions to problems in entrepreneurship – the final study.
• Reasonably explain and discuss system thinking and systems analysis in entrepreneurship – a seminar class, the final study.
• Present and explain the results of their research to others – a seminar class, the final study.
• Responsibly plan the completion of the assignments given – a seminar class, the final study.
• Scientifically substantiate and solve problems in entrepreneurship by simulating situations in entrepreneurship – the final study.
• Apply system thinking in making decisions – the final study.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Systematicality and a system. (Lecture - 2 hours)
2. Laws of systemic relations. (Lecture - 1 hour)
3. Systemic cognition. (Lecture - 1 hour)
4. Theories on systems. (Lecture - 1 hour, practical - 1 hour)
5. Systemic research. (Lecture - 1 hour)
6. Organization as a system. (Lecture - 1 hour)
7. Causal loop diagram - the basis of system thinking. (Lecture - 1 hour, practicals - 2 hours)
8. System thinking instruments. (Lecture - 1 hour, practicals - 2 hours)
9. Drivers of growth and downturn. (Lecture - 1 hour, practicals - 2 hours)
10. Rules of constructing causal loop diagrams. (Lecture - 1 hour)
11. Stimulation of growth. (Lecture - 1 hour)
Test: Causal loop diagrams, their construction. System thinking. (1 hour)
Seminar class. Systematicality and a system. Systemic research. (Preparation and presentation of a system or ecosystem for the research object of the master thesis) (2 hours)
Final study. Examination of a problem in entrepreneurship by simulating a situation in entrepreneurship and constructing a causal loop diagram and the presentation of the results (2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The final mark is cumulative and consists of the following pieces of assessment: the test (20%), the seminar (30%), the final study (50%). The student must earn a pass mark (a mark of 4 and higher).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student must independently prepare for one seminar class (develop a system or ecosystem for the research object of the master thesis; prepare a structural presentation of the seminar topic; the duration of the presentation is up to 15 minutes) and develop the final study (examine a problem in entrepreneurship by simulating a situation in entrepreneurship and constructing a causal loop diagram; prepare a presentation of the causal loop diagram constructed; the duration of the presentation is up to 15 minutes).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark is cumulative and consists of the following pieces of assessment: the test (20%), the seminar (30%), the final study (50%). The student earns a pass mark in the test if answering at least 40% questions correctly. 10% are equal to one point on a 10-point marking scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Vedins I. Zinātne un patiesība. Rīga: Avots, 2008. 702 lpp.
2. Sherwood D. Seeing the Forest for the Trees: A Manager’s Guide to Applying Systems Thinking. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2011. 368 p. (Izdevums tiešsaistē Resurss pieejams RTU Zinātniskajā bibliotēkā un RTU portālā ORTUS)
3. Forands I. Biznesa vadības tehnoloģijas. Rīga: Latvijas Izglītības fonds, 2009. 330 lpp.

4. Ballé M. Managing with Systems Thinking: Making Dynamics Work for You in Business Decision Making. England: McGraw-Hill Book Co Ltd, 1996. 184 p.

Further reading

1. Schaveling J., Bryan B. Making Better Decisions Using Systems Thinking: How to stop firefighting, deal with root causes and deliver permanent solutions. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. 188 p. Pieejams:
https://books.google.lv/books?id=ALg7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA170&lpg=PA170&dq=Schaveling,+J.,+Bryan,+B.+Making+Better+Decisions+Using+Systems+Thinking:+How+to+stop+firefighting,+deal+with+root+causes+and+deliver+permanent+solutions.&source=bl&ots=FdrPvPwGWN&sig=ACfU3U1q4UgRf-uKY9wHvycESVqBTPL1HA&hl=lv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk34um_dHzAhWIrYsKHYC0A9EQ6AF6BAgdEAM#v=onepage&q=Schaveling%2C%20J.%2C%20Bryan%2C%20B.%20Making%20Better%20Decisions%20Using%20Systems%20Thinking%3A%20How%20to%20stop%20firefighting%2C%20deal%20with%20root%20causes%20and%20deliver%20permanent%20solutions.&f=false
2. Maani K. E. Multi-Stakeholder Decision Making for Complex Problems: A Systems Thinking Approach with Cases. Singapore: World Scientific Pub Co., 2016. 182 p. Pieejams:
https://books.google.lv/books?hl=lv&lr=&id=BsykDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Maani,+K.+E.+Multi-Stakeholder+Decision+Making+for+Complex+Problems:+A+Systems+Thinking+Approach+with+Cases.&ots=FogAzSeH_T&sig=3ptUSiPnmKf7aT3E3B45QPRRRgg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
3. Donaldson W. Simple Complexity: A Management Book for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Systems Thinking. [United States]: Morgan James Publishing, 2017. eBook. Pieejams elektroniski LLU EBSCOhost datubāzē https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1679212&site=ehost-live&scope=site
4. Jolly R.D. Systems Thinking for Business: Capitalize on Structures Hidden in Plain Sight. Systems Solutions Press, 2015. 240 p.

5. Georgiou I. Thinking Through Systems Thinking. London: Routledge, 2007. 264 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Sabiedriskie Mediji: Latvijas Radio un Latvijas Televīzijas ziņu portāls [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.lsm.lv/
2. Dienas Bizness: Latvijas biznesa ziņu portāls [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.db.lv/

3. Journal of Business Research: ikmēneša recenzējams akadēmiskais žurnāls [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-business-research. ISSN: 0148-2963

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF academic master programme “Economics”, specialisation “Business and Logistics”