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.
 • 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: asauka@sseriga.edu.lv

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)