Action Research for Entrepreneur

In this course, experienced practitioner faculty members and companies engaged in practical business creation will teach students how to become entrepreneurs and new value creators. More concretely, we will conduct surveys and plan and make proposals regarding real cases from local governments, companies, and so forth. Basic knowledge cannot be learned from only classroom lectures but requires active participation in class (e.g., group discussions, collaborative work, and presentations are required). Moreover, as we conduct action research, which confirms and verifies what you have learned in practice, it is necessary to go out into the community outside of regular class time (Saturdays, Sundays, free time on weekdays, etc.). It is assumed that participants can do so. This course is conducted with (1) the faculty member in charge (who has entrepreneurial experience / corporate work experience) and (2) an external lecturer (practitioner). The number of participants will be limited to approximately 16 to facilitate the group guidance system based on the field and work experience of the mentors.

Entrepreneur development, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, startup, venture creation, business creation, regional brands, brands, regional orientation, regional issues, regional revival, regional revitalization, regional creation, social business, marketing and branding, group work, fieldwork, essay feedback, work experience, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Project for Universities as Drivers of Regional Revitalization through New Human Resources Education Programs (COC+R), ENGINE Program

Class 1: Guidance (*deciding on participants, explanation of course outline, etc.)
Class 2: Introduction to regional brands, fieldwork preparation
Class 3: Fieldwork preparation (regional overview)
*Fieldwork to be conducted
Class 4: Fieldwork summary (problem discovery, analysis, structuring→task setting)
Class 5: Case study and task setting
Class 6: Case study and task setting
Class 7: Digging deeper into the problem and task setting 1
Class 8: Digging deeper into the problem and task setting 2
Class 9: Examination of problem-solving plan 1
Class 10: Examination of problem-solving plan 2
Class 11: Prototype design and implementation 1
Class 12: Prototype design and implementation 2
Class 13: Progress report, including implementation results
Class 14: Refinement of proposal/additional survey 1
*Intensive work to be conducted
Class 15: Refinement of proposal/additional survey 2 *Course evaluation
Class 16: Presentation rehearsal 1
Class 17: Presentation rehearsal 2
・Debriefing (mid-February)

Remarks
◎ The plan is to hold this course in collaboration with local companies (AYR4: Alpico Group).
◎ The contents and schedule are subject to change depending on course progress and the circumstances of the partner company.
(In the second half of the course, the practical stage, two classes may be conducted in a row.)
◎ Students will cover the expenses (transportation costs, lunch costs, etc.) incurred during fieldwork.

Syllabus (Japanese site only)