UoK/F/SAB/003

UNIVERSITY OF KABIANGA
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (SAB)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BIOSYSTEMS AND ECONOMICS

COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE CODE: ARE 426E
COURSE TILTLE: SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT
CLASS: BSC AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
SEMESTER /ACADEMIC YEAR: SEMESTER 2, 2019/2020
UNITS: 3
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: MR CHEPKWONY KENNETH

Purpose of the Course

The course will provide an understanding to students on the process of identifying and
quantifying market opportunities, then conceptualizing, planning, and starting a new,
technology-based enterprise. Students develop detailed business plans for a startup. It is intended
for students who want to start their own business, further develop an existing business, be a
member of a management team in a new enterprise, or better understand the entrepreneur and the
entrepreneurial process.

Learning Objectives of the course

After successful completion of the course the student should be able
1. To understand the different conditions for SMEs in different environments;
2. To have an understanding about general managerial issues related to SME operations;
3. To know how to analyze SME performance;
4. To understand how value is created and its relation to customer value.
5. To acquire knowledge and analytical skills through involvement in the process of
managing a small and medium enterprise venture in the contemporary business
environment.
6. To learn to appreciate the major ingredients in small and medium enterprise success and
the special problems small and medium enterprises may encounter.

Lecture Schedule
Week Lecture Lecture Topics
1 9/9/2019 Understanding the development of small and middle-sized
7:00-10:00 a.m. companies; & their functions in the state economy
2 advantages and disadvantages
3 Small and middle-sized companies abroad (policy affected on
small and middle-sized companies in Kenya, business policy of
small and middle-sized companies in Kenya)
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Week Lecture Lecture Topics
4 Types of financing small and middle-sized companies (financial
loans, bank and private loans, venture capital, financial or
strategic partner, business angels, leasing, factoring, forfeiting,
franchising, strategic grants for small and middle-sized
companies, structural funds)
5 Institutions conversant with granting of small and middle-sized
companies, types of grants from the Kenya resources and from
the state budget;
6 Business plan of beginning enterprise
7 Managing inventory
8 Staffing and leading a growing company
9 Management succession and risk management
10 Effective small business management: an entrepreneurial
approach
11 Ethics, social responsibility and the entrepreneur
12 The legal environment: business law and government regulation

Mode of Delivery
Lectures, case studies, class discussions, assignments, library and Internet research

Instructional Materials
Chalkboard, laptop computer and LCD projector, handouts, etc

Course Assessment
The course will be evaluated using Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) and Assignments/Term
Paper/Practicals, which shall contribute to the coursework marks of 30% and the End semester
examination contributing 70% 0f the total work.

Peer Review
Observation by the Head of Department and fellow lecturers, and evaluation forms completed by
the students at the end of the course

Core Reading Materials

1. Fink, M., Kraus, S. (2009). The Management of Small and Medium Enterprises. New
York: Routledge, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203871751
2. Aulet, Bill. Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup. Wiley, 2013.
ISBN: 9781118692288.
3. Jones, O., Tilley, F.: Competitive Advantage in SMEs. Wiley, London, 2003. ISBN: 0-
470-84334-9. (275 p).

Recommended Reading Materials

1. OECD (2000): Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Local Strength, Global Reach.
Policy Brief, Paris. www.oecd.org/bookshop
2. Lind, P.: Furnischool – Diagnosing Organisations. Linköping University, 2002. ISBN:
91-7373-426-8. (59 p).

Journals
1. Journal of Small Business Management
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2. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development
3. Journal of Innovation Management in Small and Medium Enterprises (JIMSME.)