Microeconomics for Business Decisions
Description
The study of Economics is essential for informing business decisions and public policy choice. This course applies microeconomic principles and tools to the management of firms, including both small price-taker firms as well as large dominant firms with market power. You will develop an understanding of the economic and political environment in which firms operate and begin to think strategically about firm-to-firm, firm-to-consumer, and firm-to-government interactions.
Concepts that assist managers to operate strategically include learning about market failure, pricing strategies, cooperative behaviour, decision-making under uncertainty, reactions to competitors and government intervention. Also examined are the underlying reasons for the existence of cartels, collusion, price discrimination, regulation, and trade barriers.
The course also addresses contemporary public policy issues that impact on firms, such as pollution, resource depletion, provision of public goods and services, rental controls, minimum wages, and taxes and subsidies. Designed for students from varied academic backgrounds, the course develops both communication and critical analysis attributes allowing you to evaluate numerous day-to-day economic events at the local, national and international scale.
Availability
UoN Singapore
- Trimester 1 - 2015 (Singapore)
Ourimbah
- Semester 1 - 2015
Callaghan
- Semester 1 - 2015
- Semester 2 - 2015
Learning Outcomes
1. Utilise microeconomic theory and models to critically assess firm performance and government policy.
2. Apply microeconomic concepts to inform business decisions in the workplace and develop an integrated understanding of other business orientated subjects.
3. Connect the study of economics to global, political, social and environmental contexts.
4. Employ both numerical and graphical techniques to support economic analysis.
5. Engage effectively in oral and written communication appropriate to both context and audience.
Content
Lectures may include, but are not restricted to, the following topics:
- Economic methodology in decision making, opportunity cost
- Consumers demand analysis
- Firms' production decisions: inputs and costs
- Characteristics and types of markets, eg. product markets, imperfect markets, capital and labour markets.
- Market failures, public goods and regulation
- Microeconomic debates over public policy
Assessment Items
Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Tutorial Exercises
In Term Test: Mid Semester Test
In Term Test: BB online tests
Formal Examination: Final Examination
Contact Hours
UoN Singapore
Lecture
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks
Workshop
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks