Entrepreneurship in Creative Economy and the Tourism Sector

Development of the Entrepreneurial Mindset. Entrepreneurial mindset and opportunity recognition. Utilization of design thinking. Creation of Business Models and Income Models. Financing for start-ups. Financial statements and projections for start-ups. The role of communication in the efficiency of the tourism business. Entrepreneurship, Internet and Information and Communication Technologies. Creative Tourism. Creative and cultural industries in boosting tourism development. Utilization of cultural heritage, through the creation of cultural industries.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about the different approaches that aim to answer the question: how do I design and evaluate the viability of a new business? In particular, they will acquire knowledge and skills regarding the entire cycle of the innovation and entrepreneurial process, from identifying the opportunity and evaluating it to mobilizing resources, creating the company and managing its growth.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• recognize the specific characteristics of the entrepreneur and entrepreneurship in tourism and the creative industries
• analyze in depth the external business environment to develop appropriate market and competition analysis strategies
• develop appropriate market policies for the planned business
• proceed with a realistic financial plan
• develop critical thinking in investigating the challenges and dynamics for the development of the new business
• understand how the innovation ecosystem operates and be able to exploit the prospects offered
• effectively use all the tools and good practices for the development of business plans

1st week: Introduction to Entrepreneurship Conceptual Approach to the term entrepreneurship / entrepreneur (THEORY)

2nd week: The concept of Creative Economy and its connection with Tourism (THEORY)

3rd week: “Experience Economy”: concept of experience and experience design methodology (THEORY)

4th week: “Experience Economy”: application of experience design methodology in Creative Economy and Tourism (LABORATORY)

5th week: The Entrepreneurial Personality and Mindset (THEORY)

6th week: Forms of Entrepreneurship, Types of Businesses (THEORY)

7th week: Business Strategy: planning process (THEORY)

8th week: Business Strategy: innovative approaches (THEORY)

9th week: Analysis of strategies plans (LABORATORY)

10th week: The Business Plan (1) (THEORY)

11th week: The Business Plan (2) (LABORATORY)

12th week: Business Financing (THEORY)

13th week: Projects presentation/pitching and Exam Preparation

Main Text:

Sarri K. and Laspita S. (2022) Entrepreneurship and Business Planning, Tziola Publications.

Recommended Bibliography:

Doukidis G. (2010) Innovation, Strategy, Development and Information Systems
Goniadis, H. (2016), Entrepreneurship – Economic Development and Prosperity, Diplografia Publications.
Karagiannis H. and Bakouros I. (2010), Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Sofia Publications.
Astara, O. (2023). Entrepreneurship - Corporate Social Responsibility and Development. Kallipos, Open Academic Publications. https://dx.doi.org/10.57713/kallipos-326
Deakins, D. and Freel, M. (2015). Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses, edited by Pekka-Oikonomou, V. and Hadjidimitriou, I., Rosili Publications
White, M. and Bruton, G. (2010). The Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation, Kritiki Publications.

Related scientific journals:

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Journal of Business Venturing
Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research
International Small Business Journal
Journal of Small Business Management

• Lectures
• Exercises for writing a business plan
• Group Work
• Searching for information on the Internet
• Independent study of theoretical concepts

Learning process support through the electronic platform e-class [course link]
Use of the zoom platform for remote lectures.
Use of Specisoft's Business Plans development software for the preparation of group work.

Development of a Feasibility Study for the Development of a Business Plan (50%)
Written Exam (50%)