Saint Leo University

Graduate Business Studies

MBA540

Managerial Economics

Professor Michael A. S. Guth

Course Description:

This course explores the concepts of economic optimization, the estimation of demand and cost and pricing analysis. An introduction to economic forecasting and decision-making under conditions of risk and uncertainty are also included.

Prerequisite:

MBA 525 plus undergraduate course in economics strongly recommended.

Textbooks:

Brickley, Smith & Zimmerman. Managerial Economics and Organizational Architecture. (3^rd edition). McGraw Hill/Irwin. ISBN# 0-07-282809-9

Pepsi-Cola U.S. Beverages (A). Case #9-390-034. Harvard Business Online. (This case is required and only available for purchase at the Harvard Business Online website. http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?id=390034 )

Course Objectives:

Attributes that are highly valued in the workplace are: the willingness and ability to learn, discipline, integrity, self-motivation, adaptability, commitment, teamwork, timeliness and dependability. You can practice and develop these skills in this course. The objective of this course is to provide through lectures, readings, class discussions and examinations, an opportunity for learning so that the student will:

• Develop a clear understanding of economic theory and methods as they relate to managerial decision-making.

• Acquire a framework for understanding the nature of the firm as a integrated whole, as opposed to a loosely connected set of functional departments.

• Recognize the interrelation between the firm and society and the key role of business as an agent of social and economic welfare.

• Develop an understanding of the usefulness of economic analysis and the importance of economic reasoning skills for competing in a global economy.

Evaluation:

Final grades will be earned based on the following scale:

Minimum points needed for grades:

A = 92% of the points available

A- = 90%

B+ = 88%

B = 82%

B- = 80%

C = 72%

F = 71% and below

In determining the final grade the following weights will apply:

Quizzes (8 @ 50 points each) 400 points 20%

Exams (2@ 300 points each) 600 points 20%

Discussion questions-initial responses

(8 @ 15 points each) 120 points 10%

Discussion questions-peer responses

(8 @ 10 points each) 80 points 5%

Case studies (8 @ 100 points each) 800 points 20%

Written discussions (8 @ 100 points each) 800 points 20%

Group assignments (4 @ 50 points each) 200 points 5%

Total 3000 points 100%

Exams:

Please note that the exams are provided online and are completed after weeks 4 and 8. The student will have a week to complete each exam.

Discussion Board:

• The weekly Module discussion questions will be posted by the instructor for each week.

• You must post at least one response to the discussion board for each module.

Deadlines:

If you cannot meet the deadline for an assignment please contact the instructor as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to not accept a late assignment or to reduce the grade on that assignment for lateness.

Finally, effective written communications is a key component of this course. The instructor reserves the right to take off points for unclear wording, grammatical errors and misspellings.

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to view the course modules in the week they are offered, and to log onto the course often enough to remain abreast of any communications from the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of what is happening in the class online.

Disability Services:

Saint Leo University is committed to a policy which provides an equal opportunity for full participation of all qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA. Appropriate academic accommodations and services are coordinated through the Office of Disability Services. Students with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the office as soon as possible via email: ADAOffice@saintleo.edu or telephone: (352) 588-8464. For additional information, students may access the Policy and Procedure Manual through the Saint Leo website.

Academic Honesty:

As members of an academic community who place a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, Saint Leo University students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life, and to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs. Unless otherwise specified by the professor, students must complete homework assignments by themselves (or if on a team assignment, with only their team members). If they receive outside assistance of any kind, they are expected to cite the source and indicate the extent of the assistance. Each student has the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of

academic integrity and to refrain from cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty is representing another's work as one's own, active complicity in such falsification, or violating test conditions. Plagiarism is stealing and passing off the ideas and words of another as one's own or using the work of another without crediting the source. The sanctions for academic dishonesty (including cheating on an examination, plagiarism, and similar offenses) are as follows:

• The minimum sanction for the first offense is an “F” for the test or assignment, but the usual sanction is an “F” in the course in which the violation took place. No provision will be made for the student to receive a “W”.

• The minimum sanction for the second offense is an “F” in the course, but the usual sanction is suspension of the student from Saint Leo University.

Circumstances that would justify sanctions greater than the minimum include the student’s previous disciplinary record at the University or the particularly flagrant nature of the offense. It is the responsibility and obligation of each student to personally uphold the Academic Honor Code. Students are required to report any observed instance of academic dishonesty to the course instructor. For more information on the Academic Honor Code, please see the Saint Leo University Student Academic Catalog. To learn more about properly identifying and citing resources, please see the University Library Tutorial, Reference Sources: Print and Online.

University Library Services:

University Library Services provides instruction, information resources and services needed by students pursuing their education and seeking an understanding of themselves, their world, and their Creator. The Cannon Memorial Library faculty and support staff offers direct personal assistance to all students, whether on the University Campus, at Continuing Education Centers or the Center for Online Learning. Library acquisitions are carefully selected to support the curriculum and to provide information resources in a variety of formats. The library website (accessed through the Saint Leo University portal) facilitates remote access to the library’s resources and services for off-campus students.

There is an online library tutorial for students to learn about searching the library catalog, researching a paper topic, or using the online library databases. Students who are returning to school after an extended period find this particularly helpful. There is also information on finding and evaluating websites and identifying and citing resources for your academic work. Circulating materials (books, reprints from print journals) are checked out for one month and can be sent to you. If you need an article from a print journal, the library will also fax, email, or send it to you through the U.S. Mail. You can also request direct assistance from a reference librarian online from the library website or by calling the University Campus reference desk at 1-800-359-5945. The library staff is dedicated to supporting all faculty and students, whether on campus or online.

Saint Leo University Core Values:

Students are expected to be mindful of the Benedictine core values of Saint Leo University when submitting work, interviewing outside resources, and working in groups.

Excellence: Saint Leo University is an educational enterprise. All of us, individually and collectively, work hard to ensure that our students develop the character, learn the skills and assimilate the knowledge essential to become morally responsible leaders. The success of our University depends upon a conscientious commitment to our mission, vision and goals.

Community: Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere we serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity and interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change and to serve.

Respect: Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals' unique talents, respect their dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community's strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas and on learning, living and working harmoniously.

Personal Development: Saint Leo University stresses the development of every person's mind, spirit and body for a balanced life. All members of the Saint Leo University community must demonstrate their commitment to personal development to help strengthen the character of our community.

Responsible Stewardship: Our Creator blesses us with an abundance of resources. We foster a spirit of service to employ our resources to university and community development. We must be resourceful. We must optimize and apply all of the resources of our community to fulfill Saint Leo University's mission and goals.

Integrity: The commitment of Saint Leo University to excellence demands that its members live its mission and deliver on its promise. The faculty, staff and students pledge to be honest, just and consistent in word and deed.

Additional Assistance:

MBA program questions/concerns should be addressed to mbaslu@saintleo.edu. Technical questions concerning the course should be addressed to the eCollege Help Desk, by clicking the ?Help button in the upper right corner of the Course Home page. Then select Help Desk from the left-hand navigation tree in the Help Pages window, to access the email form. Or, phone the eCollege Help Desk at 866-501-1636.