StartUp Management* bachelor degree programme

At the end of this module students are able to:

· identify and explain the four management functions, key business concepts, leadership levels, milestones in management history, and the academic context of business administration,
· elaborate on Human Resource Management tasks, recruitment methods, onboarding, personnel development, compensation methods and downsizing causes, as well as analyse personnel assessment criteria and diversity's role in HR management,     
· describe organizational structure elements, organizational cultures, causes of organizational change, types of change and the role of structure and culture in specific cases as well as identity change management models and resistance to change.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain the principles of financial accounting and apply double-entry accounting for effective documentation,

· identify and illustrate corporate reporting duties, conduct comprehensive financial analyses for service and manufacturing companies, considering perspectives of both investors and shareholders, and perform financial analyses of B-t-B supplier-buyer relationships in the manufacturing sector, 

· apply knowledge in controlling, financial ratios, business intelligence systems, financial reporting evaluation, business structure differentiation, budget preparation and analysis, performance measurement, and benchmark-based company comparisons. 

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain current social, ecological and economic trends, challenges and social change within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and analyse more sustainable and fair approaches for societies,
· describe and assess the main controversies around sustainability and sustainable development, e.g. north vs south, current vs. future generations, absolute vs. relative limits and strong vs. weak sustainability as well as the history of and different definitions on sustainability,
· discuss values of sustainable leadership, elucidate practical tools for sustainability implementation and ethics in leadership, including the "Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development" (FSSD), and engage in discussions about their role in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals within the realms of social, economic, ecologic, and cultural sustainability,
· critically evaluate the role of leadership in addressing future societal challenges in society and discuss its contribution to sustainable development.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods, applying quality criteria (evidence) to evaluate research approaches, and identifying and explaining the essential components of various qualitative and quantitative methodologies,
· define and select appropriate sampling methods and explain the structure of research studies, and the foundational principles governing the measurement of constructs in research studies,  
· describe, organize, and apply different phases of the empirical social research process, to locate relevant literature, skillfully cite sources, discuss the standard structural elements of a scientific work, and summarize ethical considerations with regard to research and data protection,
· use library resources specific to business and startup topics, arrange reference lists through applying reference management software and describe the fundamental structure of academic paper and implement source material into their writing suitable for an academic audience.

At the end of this module students are able to:

·systematically apply various innovation methods to generate creative ideas, as well as to apply precise problem-solving procedures with the help of creativity techniques.
· take on different roles in creative processes, for example as idea generator, critic and moderator and, depending on these, pitch ideas developed,
· critically reflect on their potential for creativity and idea generation and to use their own resources effectively, as well as to plan an exemplary problem-solving and creativity workshop.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain and analyze consumer behavior, solving the problem of utility maximization, including graphically addressing the impacts of price and income changes on consumption choices,
· explain and analyze firm behavior, solving the problem of profit maximization under perfect competition and monopoly both graphically and mathematically, as well as market failure and the role of government, focusing on externalities and public goods, and elaborate on various policies from an economic perspective,   
· collect, calculate, and interpret macroeconomic data on GDP, inflation, and unemployment, allowing for a comprehensive understanding and analysis of key macroeconomic indicators, and to apply economic models to comprehend current and past macroeconomic trends, identifying suitable strategies in response to these trends,
· explain the circular flow model, describe the phases of the business cycle, elaborate on the determinants of goods and financial markets at the aggregate level, and analyze the impacts of financial and monetary policies on the economy, furthermore to identify determinants of economic growth over time, enabling them to examine factors contributing to sustained economic development, to explain and apply macroeconomic principles within a broader context.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· to explain the role of legal systems, clarify legal terminology, and provide a structured overview of the Austrian legal system (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary) and European Community law, including an introduction to public law, legal sources, the creation of law, and the hierarchy of legal systems,
· describe the basics of private law, including legal subjects, capacity to contract, and fundamental principles of contract and tort law, additionally, furthermore illustrate the basics of European Community law, criminal law, and other legal systems,    
· select and discuss appropriate legal forms for different business scenarios, recognise legal risk potentials (e.g., liability), minimize risks through strategic planning, design exemplary organizational structures.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· use spreadsheet programs and statistical software to solve economic problems using formulas, functions and diagrams,
· describe and analyse the distribution of a variable, identify & interpret relationships among variables,
· explain probability concepts and distributions, make decisions under conditions of uncertainty,
· carry out random samples and derive conclusions using statistical hypothesis tests.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain the definition, basic principles, and differentiation of traditional approaches to entrepreneurship within the context of Lean Startup,
· describe the four principles and process of Effectuation,
· analyze the importance of agility and adaptability for startups and explain their importance in the entrepreneurial journey.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· describe diverse innovation models, how to foster an innovation culture within organizations, and apply innovation management principles for effective development and implementation of innovative ideas,
· explain patent and IP basics, research and analyse patents and IP, explain the strategic role of IP in entrepreneurship, and effectively apply patent- and IP-related knowledge for steering and managing the innovation process within a business context as well as for developing a business strategy and business model.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· classify strategic and tactical marketing decisions as well as basic elements of consumer behavior,
· plan a marketing mix (product, price, communication, distribution) for a given context,
· explain the essential decisions of the marketing mix,
· develop market research projects, responsibly apply implementation tools, and evaluate market research results.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· apply numerical formats, units, and measurements accurately, describe common business calculations with objectives such as profitability and time value of money, discuss probability estimates, metrics, and interpret time series data, and explain the benefits and pitfalls of mathematical optimization.
· demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance and investment by illustrating the basics, identifying sources, evaluating techniques for investment projects, comparing internal and debt financing, calculating financial key figures, and proficiently conducting investment project evaluations while justifying decisions using various methods.
· analyze financing tools, assess their pros and cons, and determine optimal corporate finance options aligned with specific business strategies or situations.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· describe current developments and trends in emerging technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, etc.),
· explain the significance of emerging technologies across various business domains and practical scenarios, identifying IT, cyber and data security-related aspects, as well as ethical and environmental issues,
· explain how key emerging technologies work,
· perform a technological trend analysis amd technological scouting,
· use practical tools, datasets, applications, business information systems - hands-on - allowing them to solve business problems,
· identify appropriate technologies and applications based on a selected business cases and relevant data sets.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain the importance of networking in the corporate sector, plan effective options for networked innovation processes considering the principles of open innovation, analyse the causes, consequences and existing solutions for specific problems and select necessary partners as well as their corresponding knowledge and experience,
· define and secure the necessary funding from various providers to support innovation initiatives and develop strategies for building and maintaining professional networks at national and international levels, examine both public and non-public financing options, including procedures for applying for government grants, working with business angels and working with venture capital firms,
· design innovation processes, announcing tasks, inviting relevant innovation partners, and moderating and documenting the collaboration process, apply for funding and thus ensure a seamless integration of network strategies to increase the effectiveness of the innovation process.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain the fundamental concepts of inclusion and diversity management, including critical diversity management, and apply written and oral communication techniques and skills to resolve conflicts in the context of diversity management,
· summarize the relevant national and international laws and guidelines that impact inclusion and diversity and illustrate their practical application in organizations,
· analyze inclusion and diversity case studies to identify best practices and challenges,
to reflect and evaluate personal attitudes, values and prejudices in relation to inclusion and diversity.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· analyze team dynamics, categorize the different roles in a group and explain what effect they have,
· apply effective communication skills within teams, including active listening, clear expression of ideas, and constructive feedback,
· identify conflicts in team environments and apply effective conflict resolution strategies that promote productive and harmonious group dynamics

At the end of this module students are able to:

· analyze various types of systems, including linear, non-linear, dynamic, uncoupled, and coupled systems, as well as spatial systems, and apply system theory principles to identify interconnections, feedback loops, and emergent behaviors within complex systems,
· use complexity theories, chaos theory, and the VUCA environment framework to evaluate challenges posed by wicked problems and uncertainty in complex systems,
· develop concepts to model system dynamics and complexity, creating diagrams and mapping elements and design policies addressing sustainability and risks in real-world dynamic organizational settings.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· identify and analyse international business models and value chains at the interface between the public sector and the private sector,
· distinguish and assess traditional, digitized and digital business models as well as characteristics of digital markets and services,
· identify and develop new forms of interorganizational business models (e.g. alliances and partnerships, platform economies, virtual organizations, user participation), integrating feasibility studies and calculations to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain fundamental concepts in behavioural economics and decision-making, encompassing attribution, social judgments, self-identity, societal influences, rational and irrational decision-making processes, and consumer behaviour,
· carry out and reflect research and scientific publications, thereby facilitating an analysis of social psychological theories and their application,
· apply the main theoretical approaches to behaviour derived from behavioral economics, consumer behaviour and social psychology to various contexts, both general scenarios and business examples, to reflect on the management implications of these concepts and to evaluate decisions in an ethical way.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain and apply agile project management methods,
· use project management tools effectively,
· design mockups and prototypes tailored to specific products and target audiences, using relevant tools to exemplify product-specific and audience-oriented design.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· effectively identify and qualify potential customers and plan their acquisition, as well as apply relevant sales technologies,
· develop sales strategies and plan sales management in which long-term customer relationships are built and maintained,
· effectively apply various sales techniques and negotiation strategies in challenging negotiation situations.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· apply rhetorical skills to convincingly explain and summarize ideas in a variety of professional settings,
· effectively use body language, self-awareness and self-regulation techniques to perform confidence, authority, and commitment during interpersonal interactions and presentations,
· use language techniques and presentation skills to perform effective and engaging presentations.
· use techniques to identify personal strengths, weaknesses and areas for growth, develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills, and define both short-term and long-term personal and professional goals.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· analyze and explain the physiological and psychological effects of stress on individuals and organizations, including defining and describin stress, its causes, symptoms, and effects on physical and mental health,
· apply various stress management strategies, such as time management techniques, relaxation exercises, mindfulness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to manage personal stressors effectively,
· develop personalized burnout prevention and self-care plans through self-reflection, evaluate the effectiveness of different stress management strategies and explain the biopsychosocial model of health.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain intercultural influences on communication and company management, and identify cultural dimensions and their impact on communication and management practices,
· discuss problems that can arise from cultural differences in international projects or companies, and develop approaches to resolve such issues.
· describe key models of intercultural management and develop strategies for effective communication and collaboration across cultural boundaries.
· recognize challenges associated with intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts, and carry out negotiations effectively in intercultural environments.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain and evaluate the selection of the appropriate legal form for a start-up, taking into account factors such as liability, ownership structure and tax implications, as well as tax optimization and planning strategies,
· draft founders' agreements that address key issues related to ownership, management, decision-making, equity distribution, and dispute resolution within a start-up context,
· describe the fundamental principles of corporate taxation, including the taxation of business profits, deductions, credits, and compliance requirements in the context of start-up ventures,
· explain implications of international business activities on taxation, including identifying tax considerations associated with cross-border transactions, transfer pricing, and tax planning strategies for global start-up operations,
· analyse aspects of commercial law, evaluate entrepreneurial decisions in the context of Austrian and European competition law, and apply legal information from business law statutes and information systems (e.g., insolvency law).

At the end of this module students are able to:

· analyze various leadership styles and skills, explain the significance, styles, roles, and tools of leadership in organizational contexts, as well as apply strategies and techniques to promote team formation,
· effectively apply internal and external communication strategies to promote teamwork and collaboration within the start-up ecosystem,
· explain the importance of emotional intelligence in leading startup teams, particularly with regard to multicultural and diverse teams, and apply effective communication and conflict resolution techniques.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· explain growth models and strategies and strategically plan scalable business expansions,
· evaluate markets and growth opportunities in order to make informed business decisions, taking into account cultural, legal and economic differences in international markets,  
· evaluate profitability and efficiency as business volumes increase, analyse financial performance in the context of expanding business activities, and plan for technologies and automation to optimize operational processes for greater productivity.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· describe and select current challenges within the realm of entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of start-ups, and illustrate their international relevance in economics, society, and research.
· analyze and critically assess the significance of start-up operations in addressing economic, environmental, and societal issues,
· apply various literature research strategies and research methods to unstructured entrepreneurship issues, especially those pertinent to start-ups, and analyze the key methods related to conceptualizing and writing academic publications.
· create a comprehensive self-study plan to explore contemporary challenges facing start-ups in-depth, encompassing international economic, environmental, and societal dimensions, and apply suitable presentation skills to communicate findings effectively.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· analyze the significance of change within start-ups and describe the effects of organizational growth on structures and departments using different models of organizational growth,
· evaluate the risks associated with change initiatives and apply effective strategies for risk mitigation,
· describe the role of leaders in driving change processes in startups, identify their responsibilities,
· identify, assess, and manage risks specific to startups, using relevant tools and metrics for risk assessment and monitoring.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· present their bachelor paper and the question they addressed in a manner appropriate to the target audience, and defend the paper before an expert committee,
· outline the significance of the findings for professional practice and
research, present supporting arguments and discuss the relevance of up-to-date theories, models and data,
· answer follow-up questions on degree-programme subjects and the links
between them, and justify their answers, reflecting on current economic situation.

At the end of this module students are able to:

· independently write a bachelor paper, consisting of a business plan and a self reflection report in accordance with content-related and formal academic requirements, reflecting resources and capabilities (time, method comprehension) as well as the access to up-to date information, ethical considerations,
· apply adequate theoretical frameworks and scientific methods from diverse fields to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems and challenges in the context of start-up management,
· present comprehensive analyses and strategic recommendations for innovative business models in the start-up environment, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of entrepreneurial dynamics, market trends, and effective management practices conducive to sustainable growth and profitability to an academic audience.

At the end of the modules students are able to:

· describe and present the professional field or internship experiences that they learned about during the internship or professional occupation,
· critically reflect on the implementation of the skills acquired during their studies in the light of their professional or internship experiences,
· derive areas of action for their personal, technical and professional development from their experiences in the internship or professional occupation.