DESB51 Business as unusual

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/1. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Synchronous online teaching
Teacher(s)
Paul Mesarčík (lecturer)
PhDr. Ladislava Zbiejczuk Suchá, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Simona Kramosilová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Ladislava Zbiejczuk Suchá, Ph.D.
Department of Information and Library Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Alice Lukavská
Supplier department: Department of Information and Library Studies – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course has three primary aims:
- To explore business models as forms of expression, activism, and design spaces that can be shaped and refined. The course draws inspiration from Post-Growth Entrepreneurship, which posits: "Business is one of the most effective forms of activism. Business is one of the most expressive forms of art."
- To build awareness of the ecological dimension of business by contrasting conventional business wisdom with ecological economics and Post-Growth Entrepreneurship. The course will explore how design may help align businesses with Planetary Boundaries.
- To present real-life case studies of businesses experimenting with alternative forms of value creation, practical organisation, and creative expression. This collection of examples aims to inspire students and demonstrate what is possible in today's business world.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Recognize and analyse common business models and forms of value creation
- Understand the fundamentals of startup ventures
- Navigate the field of ecological economics
- Draw inspiration from existing alternative forms of organising and structuring enterprises
- Propose business models and organisational structures that support their work as designers and deliver positive social and ecological impact
Syllabus
  • What are business models?
  • Examples of prominent business models (especially relevant to the work of designers)
  • Shareholder value and Shareholder primacy
  • Introduction to the Business Model Canvas and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
  • Exponential Organisations, startups and Venture Capital
  • Economic metaphors; Homo Economicus and Diverse Economies
  • Green Growth and Post Growth, Planetary Boundaries, Doughnut Economics
  • Post Growth Entrepreneurship
  • Sufficiency, Bootstrapping, Livelihoods
  • Organisational structures including co-operatives, steward ownership, ESOPs and DAO
  • Regenerative Business and the Commons
Teaching methods
asynchronous: academic readings, listening to podcasts, videos, individual and group research
synchronous: guest lectures, group presentations / symposiums, group discussions
Assessment methods
Individual or group business model design project
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/DESB51