Subject

Business Economics

  • code 07796
  • course 1
  • term Semester 2
  • type FB
  • credits 6

Module: Business Organization

Matter: Business Economics

Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish

If the student is enrolled for the English track then classes for that subject will be taught in the same language and also in Spanish.

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dr. Miquel BASTONS - bastons@uic.es
Dr. Ferran HERRAIZ - fherraiz@uic.es

Office hours

On request.

Introduction

This course aims to enable students to apply diverse decision making methods in different function areas of a company, understand economic consequences of management decisions, and see how the company is affected by its external environment.

Pre-course requirements

No pre-course requirements

Objectives

  • Identify main elements of a business company, as an economic agent
  • Understand architecture of business costs and how to manage them effectively
  • Study decision making strategies and their economic consequences
  • Study strategies of dealing with risks and uncertainty
  • Understand how to achieve breakeven and beyond

Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 12 - To be familiar with the main concepts and theories of economic and business philosophy.
  • 27 - To be able to read and understand literature on economic and business issues.
  • 31 - To develop the ability to identify and interpret numerical data.
  • 32 - To acquire problem solving skills based on quantitative and qualitative information.
  • 35 - To analyse time series.
  • 36 - To interpret quantitative and qualitative data and apply mathematical and statistical tools to business processes.
  • 37 - To be able to apply managerial methods, tools and techniques.
  • 38 - To be able to connect the main variables (both formal and informal) which influence human behaviour in an organisation.
  • 41 - To be able to descriptively summarise information.
  • 48 - To be able to identify the information needs in order to manage the main departments within organisations.
  • 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
  • 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
  • 63 - To be able to analyse business related behaviour and decisions and evaluate them from an economic, social and ethical point of view.
  • 65 - To acquire the ability to put knowledge into practice.
  • 13 - To be familiar with and understand the terms and processes of company management.
  • 17 - To be familiar with the mathematical models used to describe financial phenomena.
  • 20 - To make decisions on resource optimisation using mathematical tools.
  • 42 - To be able to empirically analyse financial phenomena.
  • 39 - To acquire the ability to solve problems and make decisions based on relevant information, applying the appropriate methods and situating the problem within the organisation as a whole.
  • 34 - To develop the ability to predict situations and anticipate events, as well as be able to recognise and interpret an economic situation within a specific context.

Learning outcomes of the subject

  1. To be able to identify the various elements of a company, as an economical agent.  
  2. To be able to identify different forms of organization of a company. 
  3. To know and learn how to manage the different elements that make up the economical equilibrium of the company. 
  4. To know how to interpret economical information in a company, in order to resolve problems related to business .  
  5. To be able to learn to apply criteria in the decision making process both short and long term and value these processes from the point of view of the economy of the company. 
  6. To be able to rigorously deal with the elements of uncertainty and risk that can be found in a compnay.
  7. To be able to evaluate the economical consequences of the decisions made from various areas within the company.  

Syllabus

  1. 1.       Decision making analysis

1.1. Decision making without uncertainties

1.2. Decision making with uncertainties

1.3. Expected value of perfect information

1.4. Expected value of sample information

  1. 2.       Business models and their evolution

2.1. New business creation and entrepreneurship

2.2. Forms of ownership

2.3. Financing and investment

2.4. Organization structure

  1. 3.       Introduction to function areas

3.1. Accounting

3.2. Operations management

3.3. Market research and Marketing

3.4. Management and Human Resources

  1. 4.       Business company and its environment

4.1. Industry analysis (5 forces of Michael Porter)

4.2. Macro analysis of Business environment (PEST)

4.3. International business environment (CAGE)

Teaching and learning activities

In person

Two main types of procedure will be used during the course:

1.Presentation in class by lecturer of the theory corresponding to each theme.

2.Analysis and discussion of practical case studies for each theme.

To take advantage of the course students must come to class very well prepared.

TRAINING ACTIVITY

COMPETENCES

lecture
individual study
solving problems in classroom

13

lecture
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
individual study
solving problems in classroom

36

lecture
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
individual study
solving problems in classroom

37

lecture
individual study
report presentations & discussions
solving problems in classroom

38

in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
report presentations & discussions
solving problems in classroom

39

individual study

13

individual study

52

in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
report presentations & discussions
solving problems in classroom

54

small group seminars

52

individual study
report presentations & discussions

55

solving problems in classroom

50

in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)

59

report presentations & discussions
solving problems in classroom
small group seminars

63

in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
solving problems in classroom

67

TRAINING ACTIVITYCOMPETENCES
magister class
individual study
solving problems at classroom
13
magister class
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
individual study
solving problems at classroom
36
magister class
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
individual study
solving problems at classroom
37
magister class
individual study
report presentations & discussions
solving problems at classroom
38
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
report presentations & discussions
solving problems at classroom
39
individual study
13
individual study
52
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
report presentations & discussions
solving problems at classroom
54
small group seminars
52
individual study
report presentations & discussions
55
solving problems at classroom
50
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
59
report presentations & discussions
solving problems at classroom
small group seminars
63
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
solving problems at classroom
67

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

Evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

  • Class attendance and participation in the discussion of practical case studies, Reports on practical case studies (40%)
  • The results of two examinations: mid-course (10%) and final (50%)
 

Bibliography and resources

  • BALLARIN, E., et a., Planning and control systems, Ed Desclée de Brouwer, Bilbao, 1986.
  • BASTONS, M., Making decisions. The inevitable question? Success or failure?, Ed Ariel, Barcelona, 2004.
  • BUENO CAMPOS, Eduardo. et al. Basic course in Business Economics. An organizational approach. Madrid: Ed Pyramid, 1996.
  • GIL, MA, how to create and run a business. Concepts and instruments, ed. Esic, Madrid, 1993.
  • IBORRA, M., (et a.) Fundamentals of business management. Thomson, Madrid, 2007.
  • LINDLEY, DV, Principles of decision theory, Ed Vicens Vives, Barcelona, 1977.
  • PEREZ LOPEZ, JA, Fundamentals of Management, ed. Rialp, Madrid, 1994.
  • PORTER, M., Competitive Strategy. Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors, ed. Cecsa, Mexico, 1980.
  • RIBERA, J., et a., Production Techniques, Ed Plaza & Janes, Barcelona, 1990.
  • Rosanas, J.M. et. a., Accounting. Alternatives accounting II, Ed Desclée de Brouwer, Bilbao, 1986.
  • Rosanas, JM, et a., Cost accounting for decision making, Ed Brouwr of Desclée, Bilbao, 1990.
    Alpha  
 

Teaching and learning material

      Material
            Balance de Armon balancearmon.xls 
            Cas A. Palanc casoa.palanc.doc 
            Cas BCN Publicidad bcnpublicidad.doc 
            Cas Cahsflowing cashflowing.cas.doc 
            Cas Editnova editnova.doc 
            Cas Electrónica electronica.doc 
            Caso Eurocultura eurocultura.cas.doc 
            Cas Europe Insurance europeaninsurance.doc 
            Cas Festival festivaldeprochene.cas.doc 
            Galería Soler casgaleriasoler.doc 
            Cas Hamlet hamlet.doc 
            Museo de Arte museodearte.caso.doc 
            Cas Pic Blau picblau.doc 
            Ejercicios Estructura de Costes estructuradecostes.ejerc..doc 
            Efercicios de Inversiones ejerciciosinversiones.doc 
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