Department of Business Management

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

244
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
(58335-244)
Module Outline 2024
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document
is correct, some changes may need to be made during the semester due to changing
circumstances. Any changes will be communicated on SUNLearn, and the most recent
version of this document will be available on the module's SUNLearn page.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now."
Chinese proverb
 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 244

Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 3
1.1. The purpose of the module framework...................................................... 3
1.2. Background and aim of the module........................................................... 3
1.3. Module prerequisites ................................................................................ 3
1.4. Module outcomes .................................................................................... 4
1.5. Language of instruction ............................................................................ 5
1.6. Writing- and information enriched module ................................................. 5
2. Administration ............................................................................................... 5
2.1. Module convenor ..................................................................................... 5
2.2. Lecturer & other information .................................................................... 5
2.3. Groups .................................................................................................... 5
2.4. Lecture times and venues......................................................................... 5
3. Resources ..................................................................................................... 6
3.1. Prescribed textbooks ................................................................................ 6
3.2. Suggested additional resources and literature ............................................ 6
4. Learning methodology ................................................................................... 6
4.1. Method of instruction ............................................................................... 6
4.2. Participation In module activities .............................................................. 6
4.3. SUNLearn ................................................................................................ 6
4.4. Consultation times and the use of the SUNLearn discussion forum .............. 7
4.5. Copyright ................................................................................................ 7
5. Flexible Assessment for semester modules ...................................................... 7
5.1. Assessment opportunities ......................................................................... 7
5.2. Assessment further................................................................................. 9
5.2.1. Project .................................................................................................... 9
5.2.2. Writing Assessment ................................................................................ 9
5.3. Pass requirements ................................................................................... 9
5.4. Access to Assessment opportunity 3 (A3) .................................................. 9
5.5. Work covered per assessment opportunity ................................................ 9
5.6. Turnover time/feedback ......................................................................... 10
5.7. Handout of tests and appeal procedure ................................................... 10
5.8. Interpretation of results on the official university system (My.Sun) ........... 10
5.9. Test and exam answers ......................................................................... 11
5.9.1. Dealing with assessment concepts ........................................................ 11
6. Plagiarism and self plagiarism ...................................................................... 12
7. Student feedback ........................................................................................ 12
8. Proposed work schedule .............................................................................. 13

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. THE PURPOSE OF THE MODULE FRAMEWORK

This module framework contains important information regarding the content,

assessments, and administration of the module. The module framework is a document
that is regarded as an agreement between the lecturer and student.

1.2. BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE MODULE

Economic circumstances and an oversupply on the South African labour market are
causing increasing problems for graduates to obtain employment at traditional
employers and existing enterprises in the private and public sectors. As a first semester
subject, the introductory module in Entrepreneurship helped students to not only look
at job security in the form of fixed employment but also to develop an orientation
towards considering the possibility of starting and developing their own business in
future.
The module in Small Business Management has been structured to offer students an
overview within one semester of the nature and range of small business management
as a subject and its operation in practice. It describes inter alia how managers should
use and apply resources and activities in order to underwrite growth and profitability
for their intended enterprises, thereby contributing to their welfare and also to that of
the community within which business is done.
The specific aim to be realised in this module is that you, as the student, should –
after successfully completing it, have a sound understanding of the management of
your own small business enterprise, with all its advantages and disadvantages. Further
aims are that you should become conversant with:
 the entrepreneurial way of life and the concomitant opportunities,
 the different options to establish a (new) business concern or to join an
existing one,
 the value of business planning, and the consequential development of a
business plan,
 the focus on the financial health of the small business enterprise,
 the focus on the relative contribution of resources to the success of the
business,
 the focus on the consumer in terms of marketing growth strategies,
 managing growth in terms of the various functional aspects and inputs within
the enterprise, and
 the management of growth and development of competitive capability.

1.3. MODULE PREREQUISITES

Corequisite module: Business Management 113

Prerequisite module: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 214
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1.4. MODULE OUTCOMES

GENERIC Module outcomes

After the successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
• Identify, make decisions and solve business and related problems based on
critical thinking,
• Communicate in groups by using visual, symbolic and/or language skills,
• Co-operate effectively with other members of a team, a group, an organisation
and/or a business community,
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively plan, organise and manage
responsibilities,
• Collect and manage relevant information, analyse, organise and critically
evaluate these,
• Use Business Science and technology critically and effectively to display a
responsibility toward the social environment,
• Display an understanding of the world consisting of a system of
interdependent sub-systems by recognising that solutions to problems do not
occur in isolation in the business world, and
• Identify and investigate opportunities to act in an entrepreneurial manner.

CRITICAL Module outcomes

After the successful completion of this module, you will be able:
1. To understand the role of entrepreneurship and small business in a global
context.
2. To recognise entrepreneurial opportunities, understand the motivators
and rewards of entrepreneurial careers and identify principles of successful
enterprises that entrepreneurs have established.
3. To understand the important role of ethics and integrity in its application to
relationship building between different interest groups in the business and the
community, especially within the small business sector.
4. To identify challenges in terms of integrity that may arise within small
businesses and to explain their advantages for such small enterprises.
5. To identify the most important advantages and disadvantages of the various
types of business options (part-time entrepreneurship, full-time
entrepreneurship, purchasing an existing business, purchasing a franchise, taking
over a family business) that the entrepreneur could exercise to start a new
business.
6. To describe the process of evaluating the different business options with a
view to choosing the best option for a given situation.
7. To comprehensively understand, explain and provide a practical description of
small business strategies, business models and the business plan to
operationalise the business plan in the natural business environment.
8. To understand the integration of the components of the business model and
business plan and its operation in terms of a practical business idea to establish
a new business concern.
9. To discuss the financial management process within the small business so
that the enterprise can function financially independently.

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10. To understand and explain the focus of the different marketing growth
strategies towards the operationalisation of a consumer-oriented approach.
11. To discuss and explain the management of growth in the small business.

1.5. LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 244 is presented according to the

language option as indicated in the faculty language plan:
Separate Afrikaans and English lectures (parallel medium) (7.1.3 in the SU language policy),
ALL subsections of choice are applicable.

1.6. WRITING- AND INFORMATION ENRICHED MODULE

This module is classified as a writing- and information-enriched module. As part of the

efforts to develop students' academic writing skills, each student will be required to
submit a writing assignment.

2. ADMINISTRATION

2.1. MODULE CONVENOR

Name Office Email address Tel-number Consultation hours

Mr G. Solomon Rm 303 gsolomon@sun.ac.za 021808-2475 TBC

2.2. LECTURER & OTHER INFORMATION

Name Office Email address Tel-number Consultation hours

Mr A Neethling Rm 302 acn@sun.ac.za 021808-3678 TBC
Ms A Hutton TBC 20049544@sun.ac.za TBC TBC
Department of Business Management, Schumann Building.

2.3. GROUPS

At registration, you will automatically be placed into a designated group. This

information is available on MySUN and SUNLearn and is important for your schedule.

2.4. LECTURE TIMES AND VENUES

Lectures will be presented on the following days and times:

Day Time Group 1/A Group 2/E
Mr A Neethling / Ms D Mr G Solomon
Coetzee
Monday 10:00 – 10:50 CGWSchumann_107 CGWSchumann_104
Tuesday 8:00 – 8:50 VdSterr_2118(Entrance1) CGWSchumann_104
Wednesday 14:00 – 14:50 VdSterr_2118(Entrance1) JSMarais 1002
Friday 11:00 – 11:50 VdSterr_2118(Entrance1) Chemistry 2011

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3. RESOURCES

3.1. PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOKS

 Katz, J.A. and Green, R.P. 2024. Entrepreneurial Small Business, 7th edition. New
York: McGraw Hill. [E-book is available: https://www.vitalsource.com/za/]
 Pretorius, M. (2018) Business failure and turnaround measures, in Nieuwenhuizen,
C., & Nieman, G.(ed.), Entrepreneurship : A South African Perspective, 4th
Edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers: 353-385.
Relevant literature and additional handouts will be loaded onto Sunlearn, and you will
be advised accordingly during class sessions.

3.2. SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND LITERATURE

1. Venter, R., Urban, B., Oosthuizen, C., Reddy, C., & Venter, E. 2015.
Entrepreneurship: Theory in Practice. South Africa: Oxford University Press.
2. Burns, P. 2016. Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Start-up, Growth and
Maturity, 4th edition. Palgrave McMillan.
3. Nieuwenhuizen, C., & Tselepis, T., 5th Edition 2023. Entrepreneurship : A South
African Perspective, Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.
4. Lind, P. 2012. Small Business Management in cross-cultural environments.
Oxon: Routledge.
5. Relevant national and international reports, i.e. Global Competitiveness Report
(WEF), Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).

4. LEARNING METHODOLOGY

4.1. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

Principles of adult and experiential learning, with an emphasis on blended learning,

will be applied. Methods of instruction include theoretical inputs, class discussions,
workshops, practical exercises, practical projects and case studies. You are invited to
participate interactively and contribute in this module and ask questions in class
whenever anything is unclear.

4.2. PARTICIPATION IN MODULE ACTIVITIES

Stellenbosch University is a contact university currently providing teaching via face-to-

face contact and an online platform (SUNLearn). To ensure that you still master the
learning outcomes of this module, you are expected to keep up to date with the online
learning activities and actively participate in discussions during lectures. The lecturers
will provide guidelines during the module.

4.3. SUNLEARN

SUNLearn is an integral part of this module. It should be consulted regularly for

resources, communication (including marks) and learning activities.

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Please note that the SUNLearn Discussion Forum is a public platform.

4.4. CONSULTATION TIMES AND THE USE OF THE SUNLEARN

DISCUSSION FORUM

Each lecturer's consultation hours are available in the module framework's "lecturer &
other information" section. You are expected to make an appointment with your
lecturer in advance.
The Discussion Forum function on SUNLearn should be used for all queries relating to
the course content of the module. The discussion forum enables peer-to-peer learning
and students are encouraged to answer each other's questions. Peer learning and
individual student engagement are incredibly important in an online learning
environment. For this reason, posts should not be addressed to the lecturers. It is not
necessary to start and sign off the posts with formal greetings as you would an email.
If your query consists of multiple questions, please number your questions.

4.5. COPYRIGHT

Stellenbosch University holds the copyright to all material in this module. Material
which is made available through SUNLearn may be subject to certain licencing
conditions. You may only use the material for your own private study and research at
the University and not for any other purpose. Printed material is also only made
available for class discussion, private study and research purposes. Further
reproduction or distribution of such material is prohibited. Contravention of these rules
will result in disciplinary action and may result in legal action.

5. FLEXIBLE ASSESSMENT FOR SEMESTER MODULES

Flexible assessment, in line with the Undergraduate Assessment Regulation of the

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, is followed in this module. Please
watch the information video on SUNLearn and read the regulation on the faculty's
webpage (www.sun.ac.za/ems under the "current students" tab).
This approach to assessment puts the responsibility of learning in the student's hands.
Make use of all available assessment opportunities and ensure that you understand
how assessment in the module works.

5.1. ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Assessment 1 (A1)
[Written test]
Tuesday, 27, August. Weight = 20 %
Further Assessment (FA)
Assessment Further (AF) Formative (FAF)
Part 1: Individual Writing Assignment (WA) 5% A series of tasks and assignments
Part 2: Group Project (GP) 25% will be set. The details will be
Due dates refer to the work programme communicated to students in
Weights: WA 5% + GP 25% = 30% class and via Sunlearn.

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Assessment 2 (A2)
[Written summative test] Weight = 50 %
Tuesday, 29 October, 14h00.
Assessment 3 (A3)
[Written summative test] Weight = 50 %
Saturday, 23 November, 14h00.
If the level of competency as set out in the table above is not achieved, you will not
pass the module.
Students who fail to complete the AF assessment, will obtain a zero mark for that
assessment.
Religious and cultural days: In addition to public holidays, during which the
University will be closed for business, no assessments will be scheduled on specific
religious and cultural days that are noted in the SU Almanac. If any main assessment
is scheduled on a religious or cultural day not included in the almanac, it is the
student's responsibility to request special arrangements. The following apply:
• For A2 and A3 the Assessment Office will make the necessary arrangements where
possible. Visit the Assessment Office in Admin A throughout the course of the last
two class weeks of the semester.
• For A1 the department/school will make the necessary arrangements if it can be
feasibly done in accordance with the arrangements usually made by the Assessment
Office for A2 and A3. If a student wants to request special arrangements, they must
contact the lecturer at least two weeks before each assessment opportunity.

The calculation of your final mark (FM) is based on a weighted formula. The formulas
are used to calculate your progress throughout the semester and the marks will be
made available on SUNStudent. The formulas are as follows:
MTD (mark to date) before A2:
MTD = (WAF/Wsum) AF + (WA1/Wsum) A1
If you did not write A1, you will not receive an MTD.

FM1 after A2:

FM1 = (WAF/Wsum) AF + (WA1/Wsum) A1 + (WA2/Wsum) A2

FM1 is assigned only if you wrote A2 and A1.

FM2 after A3:

FM2 = (WAF/Wsum) AF + (WA1/Wsum) A1 + (WA2/Wsum) A2 + (WA3/Wsum) A3

FM2 is assigned only if you wrote at least two main assessments.

When calculating the MTD or a FM using the formulas please note the following:

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• Wsum is the total weight of all the assessments you completed. Even if you missed
main assessment opportunities the total weight will at least be 1.
• For all missed main assessment opportunities (A1, A2 and A3), the weight of the
relevant assessment will be reduced to zero in the mark calculation formula
(however wsum will never be less than 1).
• Your FM for the module is the highest of FM1 or FM2. .

5.2. ASSESSMENT FURTHER

5.2.1. PROJECT

A Group project forms part of the AF mark. Details are available on Sunlearn, and
it is expected that students register their groups timeously, the project registration
process will be communicated.

5.2.2. WRITING ASSESSMENT

In addition to the project, a writing assignment forms part of the AF mark. Details
are available on Sunlearn, and will also be discussed in lectures.

5.3. PASS REQUIREMENTS

Firstly, a final mark (FM) of at least 50 is required to pass the module. The formulas
for the calculation of the FM is set out above. Secondly, at least two main
assessment opportunities MUST be completed to achieve a valid FM in a
semester module. In other words, you must complete at least two of the following:
A1, A2 and A3. If you do not obtain a valid FM you fail the module.

5.4. ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITY 3 (A3)

Note that it is not necessary to submit medical certificates or any other documents for
missed assessment opportunities.
You have access to A3 if either of the following applies:
• If you completed all of the main assessment opportunities other than A3 (A1 and
A2) but have not obtained a FM of 50 or more, you have access to A3 in order to
improve your FM to 50.
• You missed a main assessment opportunity (A1 or A2) for whatever reason. In this
case, you can still achieve a FM of 50 or more if you use A3.
• If you missed two main assessment opportunities (A1, A2) you cannot obtain a
valid FM, and therefore you fail the module. However, you still have access
to A3 in order to allow you the opportunity to obtain a FM that could adhere to
prerequisites or other requirements.
No further assessment opportunities will take place after A3 unless so
announced by the Faculty.

5.5. WORK COVERED PER ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITY

The prescribed work covered per assessment opportunity will be communicated to

students. It is usually the work covered up to the date of the assessment.

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5.6. TURNOVER TIME/FEEDBACK

Work submitted are assessed as soon as possible. Feedback is provided in general and
specific feedback is provided where and when necessary.

5.7. HANDOUT OF TESTS AND APPEAL PROCEDURE

Feedback on tests will be announced by way of an official communication medium.

Students will formally receive the opportunity to lodge appeals after tests. During
these opportunities, possible administrative errors may be corrected. After
examinations or A2 and A3 assessments have taken place, students are also
entitled to view their assessed scripts. However, this is not a re-evaluation
opportunity, and remark applications must, as set out in the Yearbook, be addressed
to the examinations department of the university.

5.8. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS ON THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY

SYSTEM (MY.SUN)

Important: You must check your A1, A2 and FAS marks on SUNLearn. Information
regarding the use of SunStudent will be communicated during the course of the
semester.
After A2, you may see the following information on the official university system
(MySun) when checking for your marks:
• A FM≥50 and a comment of "pass" or "pass with distinction".
• A FM≤45 and a comment of "further assessment allowed". This can mean one of
the following:
o You completed all main assessment opportunities and failed after A2. You
have access to A3 as an opportunity to pass the module with a maximum FM of
50.
o You missed one main assessment opportunity and have access to A3 as an
opportunity to obtain a FM of 50 or above.
• No final mark and a comment of "further assessment allowed". This can mean one
of the following:
o You did not complete enough main assessment opportunities to obtain a valid
FM, but nevertheless obtained a FM≥50. In this case you have to complete A3 to
obtain a valid FM to pass the module.
o You are involved in a Central Disciplinary Committee case and the verdict is
pending.
o You missed too many main assessment opportunities and it is not possible to
obtain a valid FM anymore. Even though you cannot pass the module you may
complete A3 in order to allow you the opportunity to adhere to any prerequisites
or other requirements.
After A3 you may see the following information on the official university system
(MySun) when checking for your marks:
• A FM≥50 and comment of "pass" or "pass with distinction".
• A FM≤45 and comment of "fail".
• A FM≤45 and comment of "insufficient assess" (insufficient assessment
opportunities completed). This means that you did not complete enough main
assessment opportunities to obtain a valid FM.

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• No mark and a comment of "insufficient assess". This means that you did not
complete any assessment opportunities.
NB: You must keep all your tests and other documentation until the
module is completed. Without the latter documents, discussing any
administration errors and clarifying aspects with regard to marks
obtained is impossible.

5.9. TEST AND EXAM ANSWERS

Your answers must be structured in a logical and systematic manner, using

paragraphs, subparagraphs and further sub-divisions. Sections must be
clearly numbered and use must be made of headings. Continuous text sections,
without structure, may NOT be marked. Take note that headings without an
explanation are of no value.

5.9.1. DEALING WITH ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS

Confusion often exists in the minds of students with respect to how assessment
concepts should be used within second year modules. Bear in mind that the
mark you receive for an assessment opportunity is a direct outcome of your
ability to correctly interpret questions.
A list of action verbs are provided below, which will be used in this module.
Where relevant, use the following descriptions of the action verbs to guide you in
your response:
• Identify: Name the most important characteristics of a topic.
• Distinguish: Make a note of the differences that distinguish objects or topics.
• Explain / Describe: Explain and clarify to ensure that the reader,
without background knowledge of the subject area clearly understands.
• Analyse: Divide into sections or elements and explain in full.
• Compare: Show similarities and differences between related concepts.
• Discuss: Present a viewpoint by determining the value of different theoretical
viewpoints, by referring to many different viewpoints.
• Examine: Examine and critically explain a topic in terms of definite criteria or
guidelines. Use practical examples throughout.
• o Evaluate:Weigh different viewpoints, by analysing events in reality,
using
• theoretical frameworks, standards and criteria.
• Illustrate: Provide examples to elucidate a particular subject or topic.
• Suggest: Propose and explain characteristics of a topic.
• Create / formulate / compile: Put elements together to form a
coherent or functional whole.
• Interpret: Explain or provide the meaning of an aspect in terms of a
more common concept. Make your explanation practical.

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6. PLAGIARISM AND SELF PLAGIARISM

Please note that submitting any work for evaluation that had been submitted
previously elsewhere (e.g. another department or another module or the same module
in a previous academic year) constitutes self-plagiarism and is just as serious a
transgression as plagiarism.

7. STUDENT FEEDBACK

Student feedback at Stellenbosch University is an important process aimed at

supporting and promoting good teaching. Student feedback is used inter alia to help
lecturers improve their teaching, to assist them with decisions regarding the approach
to the teaching of modules and to serve as a possible additional source of information
during performance appraisal of lecturers. In this module, you will have the
opportunity to provide student feedback about both the module and the lecturer(s).
Students provide feedback on an anonymous basis by completing an online feedback
questionnaire. The feedback is processed by Stellenbosch University's Centre for
Teaching and Learning, which then makes a student feedback report available to the
lecturer(s) concerned and their line managers, who usually are the chair of the
department and the Dean. In this way, the feedback system allows students to express
their opinions freely, without fear of retribution or risk of misrepresentation of the
results. The Department of Business Management is not involved in obtaining student
feedback, except for making the link to the online feedback questionnaire available to
students.
You are strongly encouraged to provide your feedback when the opportunity is given
in this module. It is important to help us improve the module and the teaching of it
going forward. I/we undertake to discuss an overview of the feedback received about
the module (not the lecturer(s)) with you, together with any actions that are planned
on the basis thereof.

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8. PROPOSED WORK SCHEDULE

Week Source Topic FA task

1 22-26 JulNotes Business model, Business plan, & Project preparation TBA
Ch 8
GROUP FORMULATION and PROJECT REGISTRATION BY 12h00 Friday 2 AUGUST
2 29 Jul – 2 Notes Value proposition, The Market & Marketing (4Ps) TBA
Aug Ch 9 Marketing: Customer & Product
Public holiday: National Women's day – 9 August
3* 5-9 Aug** Ch 10 Promotion TBA
Ch 11 Pricing, Distribution and Location
4 12-16 Aug Ch 15 Assets: Inventory and Operations Management TBA
Ch 16-KG Protection: Risk Management and Insurance
WRITING ASSIGNMENT due: Wednesday, 21 August, by 12h00
5 19–23 Aug Ch 12 Accounting: Projecting and Evaluating Performance Present
Ch 13 Cash: Lifeblood of the Business BMs
A1 - Tuesday, 27, August, @ 17h40
6 26-30 Aug Ch 14 Small Business Finance: Using Equity, Debt, and Gifts TBA
7 2-6 Sep Ch 7 Strategies: Imitation with a Twist TBA
RECESS 7–15 September
8 16-20 Sep Notes Organisation, Resource configuration, & Growth, TBA
Management & Leadership
Ch 18 HR Management: Small Business Considerations
Public Holiday – National Heritage day 24 September
9* 23-27 Sep Ch 16-NN Business failure and turnaround strategies - Guest TBA
lecture
10 30 Sep - 4 PROJECT SUBMISSION & PRESENTATIONS
Oct
11 7-11 Oct Ch 3 Environment: Managing External Relations TBA
Notes Context & Environment, Governance & Ethics & VLC
12 14-18 Oct Ch 2 Entrepreneurs: Characteristics & Competencies TBA
Ch 5 Entry: Paths to Part-time Entrepreneurship
13 21-25 Oct Ch 1 Small Business: Its Opportunities and Rewards
KG = Katz and Green; NN = Nieuwenhuizen and Nieman

Please note:
* Public holidays occur during these weeks.
** TIMETABLE SWOP (UNDERGRADUATES) MONDAY 5 AUGUST 2024 –
FOLLOW FRIDAY TIMETABLE

Any changes related to the work schedule will be communicated.

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