Managerial Economics (B-KUL-D0H52A)

Aims
Upon completion of this course the students will be able to:
- Explain and recognize key economic concepts, as they relate to managerial decision making
- Formulate and analyze management questions using economic models
- Use analytical tools to provide, understand and interpret quantitative answers to support managerial decision making
- Apply the theoretical insights about managerial decision making to a simulated market environment, using a business game
Previous knowledge
At the beginning of this course, the student should be familiar with mathematics and microeconomics as illustrated in e.g. the courses 'Higher Mathematics I and II' and 'Market and prices'.
Identical courses
This course is identical to the following courses:
D0W69A : Managerial Economics
D0T96A : Managerial Economics
HBN58B : Managerial Economics (No longer offered this academic year)
Is included in these courses of study
- Bachelor in de wiskunde (Leuven) (Minor economie) 180 ects.
- Bachelor in de wiskunde (Leuven) (Minor onderwijs) 180 ects.
- Bachelor handelsingenieur (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Bachelor handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Educatieve master in de economie (Leuven) 45 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Educatieve master in de economie (Antwerpen) 45 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Educatieve master in de economie (Brussel) 45 ects.
- Voorbereidingsprogramma: Educatieve master in de economie (Kortrijk) 45 ects.
Activities
4 ects. Managerial Economics: Analytical Tools (B-KUL-D0H52a)




Content
The course will cover such topics as:
- Static and dynamic oligopoly models
- Anticompetitive behavior and antitrust policy
- Relations between firms: contracts, mergers and competition
- Non-price competition: product differentiation, advertisement, R&D, and patents
- Networks and auctions
Course material
Course materials used:
- Information about the textbook will be communicated via Toledo.
- Students are expected to take notes during the lectures.
- Lecture slides and extra course materials will be provided via Toledo.
- Students need to critically and thoroughly study the theory and examples, as presented during the lectures. They are expected to prepare for the lectures before coming to class.
Format: more information
The first part of the course focuses on explaining the learning content. Students are expected to critically and thoroughly study the theory and examples as presented during the lectures. Students are expected to prepare the lecture before coming to class.
2 ects. Managerial Economics: Business Game (B-KUL-D0H57a)




Content
For this part of the course, students are required to participate in a business game. Here they should apply the theoretical insights they gained to the management of their own company in a simulated market environment. For this part of the course, students will work together in a team and will use multidisciplinary economic concepts and managerial decision making.
Course material
Used course material
- Slides and extra material, provided via Toledo
Toledo
- Toledo is being used for this learning activity
Format: more information
For the second part of the course, students are required to participate in a business game. The business game will take two days and will be organized during one week in the second semester. Students are expected to participate actively in the game. Communication about the business game will happen through Toledo.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Managerial Economics (B-KUL-D2H52a)
Explanation
FEATURES OF THE EVALUATION
- Permanent evaluation: business game
The business game will be graded as communicated via Toledo. - Final exam
The exam is a written, closed-book exam
Students can use a NON-graphic calculator to solve mathematical questions
The exam consists of both open questions and closed questions in the format of multiple choice questions
DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADES
- The grades are determined by the lecturer as communicated via Toledo and stated in the examination schedule. The result is calculated and expressed as a number on a scale of 20.
- The multiple choice questions will be corrected using punishment for guessing.
- The final grade is a weighted score and consists of:
The business game counts for 30% of the final grade, the final exam counts for the other 70%
If the student does not participate in the business game, the final grade of the course will be NA (not attended) for the whole course.
If the student does not participate in the final exam, the final grade of the course will be NA (not attended) for the whole course. Students need to obtain 10/20 or more on the final exam to pass the course. For students who obtain less, the grade on the final exam counts as the final grade for the course.
SECOND EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITY
- The features of the evaluation and/or the determination of grades differ between the first and second examination opportunity.
- The final grade at the second examination opportunity is a weighted score and is based on a written closed book exam (70% of the final grade) and the business game (30% of the final grade). Due to the nature of the business game, the grade for the business game attained at the first examination opportunity will be transferred to the second examination opportunity (even if the student obtained a deficit score or 0-grade).
Information about retaking exams
The grades are determined as in the first examination period.
However, due to the nature of the business game, the grade for the business game attained at the first examination opportunity is transferred to the second examination opportunity, even if the student obtained a deficit score or 0-grade. If the student did not participate in the business game, the final grade is NA (not attended) for the entire course.