MBA502: Economics and Competitive Strategies

Credit Hours:
3
Estimated Hours Per Week:
15

Overview

This course examines managerial economics, which is a part of the field of microeconomics. Students will learn how to interpret and how to predict the actions of consumers (the demand side of the economy) and the actions of firms (the supply side). Students will investigate a wide range of related topics including:

  • Standard economic principles that apply to traditional and “new-economy” firms
  • Strategic interactions or game theory
  • Investment theory and capital markets
  • Information technology’s impact on the behavior of firms and consumers

Students will participate in Forum discussions and write eight short papers. Some assignments require independent research, and all require concise analysis of specific course topics. Students will apply their personal perspective to the solution of challenging, real-world problems.

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Discuss the most important microeconomic issues facing managers of modern companies.
  • Analyze a company’s costs, its production structure, and the demand for its products/services.
  • Evaluate the effect that a different and possibly changing market structure has upon the performance of a company.
  • Determine which strategies can be successful for a given company and which ones cannot.
  • Determine the best strategies for modern, Internet-based companies.
  • Assess profit and growth opportunities that present themselves to a company, be it traditional or modern.
ENROLLMENT
To enroll in this course, please complete the online application.

Required Texts
MBA502 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore