Course syllabus

Industriell ekonomi, allmän kurs
Managerial Economics, Basic Course

MIOA15, 7,5 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2021/22
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED I
Date of Decision: 2021-04-21

General Information

Main field: Technology.
Compulsory for: B3, K3, KLMT3
Elective for: BI4, BME4, RH4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is to give a general economic overview and basic knowledge within enginerial ethics. The students should, from an economic perspective, arrive at an understanding of the interplay of the various part systems in the enterprise. The course is intended to give a basic ability to understand and utilize economic, business and ethical concepts. Basic models used in this context are also included in the course. Relying on this basic knowledge, the students must be able to form judgements taking into account the whole of the enterprise. Special stress is laid on the basic knowledge of economics, which will be necessary in the professional life of a Master of Science Engineer.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

After a general introduction of the enterprise as an object for study, a number of basic economic and ethical concepts and models are introduced. The areas of business plan, strategy, organization and marketing are first covered. Thereafter, the basic concepts of cost and income analysis, followed by outcome-planning models, describing how these basic economic concepts are influenced by volume. Product calculation is treated comprehensively. Both self-cost and contributory calculations are described in order that the student should be able to apply the models and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
When one is acquiring data for various calculations and models, one needs an overall comprehension of how economic information is stored within a company. This knowledge is supplied by a general description of the accountancy law including, amongst other things, exercises where students have to apply a running account and balance the books. Stress is laid on external reporting. A general run through of the basic plan is included in the course. An overview of the content of the law on annual accounts is given. The focus, here, is on the understanding of the annual report of the enterprise and on being able to carry out an analysis of the accounts. The students are invited to apply these basic skills in business accountancy in a laboratory exercise, where, in groups of two, they are given the opportunity to simulate business transactions in a limited company. Every business transaction is noted and, during the game, a number of balance sheets are drawn up. A follow-up on how the enterprise is doing is carried out, using key values.
Throughout the course, special stress is laid on the basic knowledge of business administration, which will be necessary for the professional activities of a Master of Science Engineer. This is especially noteworthy when investment decisions are discussed. Here, the basic static models of investment decision-making are comprehensibly described, as it is very important that a person with a Master of Science in Engineering should be able to carry out profitability calculations, as the basis for decision-making in investment situations. If this basis for investment is to be complete for a manufacturing enterprise, it is often necessary to make estimates of capital requirements. Detailed analysis of the requirement for capital is comprehensively treated during the course. Means of financing the activities of an enterprise are also described.
Finally, ethical issues, associated with business decisions in technical and organizational contexts are discussed. The various tools, methods and models that are included in the course are based on assumptions and values whose consequences are not always obvious. The course identifies and analyzes complex situations that the engineer faces and where loyalty conflicts are visualized, such as between the engineer's ethics, the client and the society's different norms and regulations. This is examined in a prepared, case-based group exercise.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: A pass grade in a written examination and two cases. The examination contains both theoretical questions and problem solving.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Parts
Code: 0118. Name: Managerial Economics, Basic Course.
Credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: 30 p of 60 p Contents: Passed written examination
Code: 0218. Name: Case.
Credits: 0. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Prepared assignment and participation in a case discussion.
Code: 0318. Name: Ethic.
Credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Prepared assignment and participation in a case discussion. Contents: Case based examination

Admission

The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: MIO012, MIO080, MIOA01, MIOA12

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Peter Berling, peter.berling@iml.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.pm.lth.se
Further information: This course may not be part of the Master degree together with the courses MIOA12, MIO012, or MIOA01.