Inhalt

Abstract:

The Business Economics course provides a practical and analytical approach to understanding economic principles in a business context. Students will explore how firms make decisions about production, pricing, market competition, and strategic growth. The course also examines global trade, government regulation, and the impact of digital transformation on economic models.

Through video lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, and quizzes, students will develop a strong foundation in economic analysis and its applications in real-world business scenarios. By the end of the course, they will be equipped to evaluate market structures, assess business strategies, and make data-driven economic decisions.

This online course on Moodle is designed for business students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to enhance their economic decision-making skills.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand Economic Principles – Analyze key concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and trade-offs.
• Evaluate Market Structures – Compare different market types, competition, and pricing strategies.
• Develop Pricing & Business Strategies – Apply economic models to pricing, advertising, and competitive decision-making.
• Analyze Production Costs & Growth – Assess cost structures, economies of scale, and technological efficiency.
• Understand Global Trade & Markets – Examine international business risks, trade policies, and globalization effects.
• Assess Government Regulation – Identify market failures and evaluate policies on taxation, subsidies, and competition.
• Explore the Digital Economy – Analyze the impact of AI, automation, and digital transformation on businesses.
• Apply Economic Thinking – Use data and models to solve real-world business challenges.
  
  

Gliederung:

Course Structure:
 

Economic Foundations

✔ Understand core economic principles and their role in business decisions.
✔ Differentiate between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
✔ Analyze scarcity, opportunity cost, and trade-offs in decision-making.

Market Structures & Competition

✔ Compare market structures and their impact on pricing and profitability.
✔ Assess market concentration using economic models.
✔ Evaluate industrial structure and firm behavior.

Pricing & Business Strategies

✔ Develop pricing strategies based on economic principles.
✔ Apply behavioral economics to pricing decisions.
✔ Assess the role of advertising and R&D in competitive advantage.

Production, Costs & Growth

✔ Analyze short-run and long-run costs in business decisions.
✔ Examine economies of scale and their impact on firm growth.
✔ Evaluate the role of technology in cost reduction and efficiency.

Global Business & Trade

✔ Understand risks and opportunities in international markets.
✔ Analyze trade policies and government interventions.
✔ Assess globalization’s impact on business strategy.

Government & Regulation

✔ Identify causes of market failure and government responses.
✔ Evaluate policies affecting competition and economic fairness.
✔ Assess the effectiveness of taxation, subsidies, and antitrust laws.

Digital Economy & Future Trends

✔ Explore the impact of digital transformation on business.
✔ Analyze emerging trends in e-commerce and AI-driven economics.
✔ Assess the role of data and automation in economic decisions.

Application & Critical Thinking

✔ Apply economic concepts to real-world business challenges.
✔ Develop analytical skills for evaluating market data.
✔ Prepare for the final exam with applied economic reasoning.

Detaillierter Inhalt:

This course has 12 lectures as follows:

1. Introduction to Business Economics
Focus: Economic decision-making, scarcity, opportunity cost, and trade-offs

2. Efficiency & Market Structures
Focus: Allocative vs. productive efficiency, competition, industrial concentration

3. Market Concentration & Firm Profitability
Focus: Cournot model, barriers to entry, market power, competitive dynamics

4. Production Costs & Technological Change
Focus: Short-run vs. long-run costs, economies of scale, impact of technology

5. Mergers & Strategic Alliances
Focus: Types of mergers, business growth strategies, case studies

6. Pricing Strategies & Market Behavior (Part 1)
Focus: Monopoly pricing, price discrimination, collusion, rent-seeking

7. Pricing Strategies & Market Behavior (Part 2)
Focus: Behavioral economics, managerial decision-making, prospect theory

8. Advertising & Research and Development
Focus: Persuasive vs. informative advertising, innovation, and market power

9. Business in International Markets
Focus: Foreign exchange risk, globalization, cultural influences on trade

10. Market Failures & Government Intervention
Focus: Public goods, externalities, taxation, subsidies, antitrust policies

11. Introduction to Macroeconomics
Focus: Economic indicators, fiscal and monetary policy, exchange rates

12. Digital Economics & Course Wrap-Up
Focus: Digital transformation, e-commerce, future economic trends

Lern-/Qualifikationsziele:

-

Lehrveranstaltungstyp:

Virtuelle Vorlesung

Interaktionsformen mit Betreuer/in:

E-Mail, Chat

Interaktionsformen mit Mitlernenden:

Forum

Kursdemo:

zur Kursdemo

Nutzung

Kurs ist konzipiert für:

This course is designed for students pursuing business and economics-related degree programs at OTH Amberg-Weiden and Technische Hochschule Deggendorf. It is particularly suitable for:

OTH Amberg-Weiden:

• Bachelor of International Business (Elective course)
• Bachelor of Digital Business (Elective course)
  
  

Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences:

• Bachelor of Health Informatics (Elective course)
• Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and Management (Elective course)
  
  

Formale Voraussetzungen:

Course enrollment via the Virtual University of Bavaria (vhb)

Erforderliche Vorkenntnisse:

Required Previous Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of microeconomics and macroeconomics concepts is recommended.
• Familiarity with fundamental business principles, such as supply and demand, competition, and pricing, is beneficial.
• No advanced mathematical background is required, but basic analytical and problem-solving skills will be helpful.
• Experience with online learning platforms (eg, Moodle) is useful but not mandatory.
  
  

Students without prior economics knowledge can still follow the course, as key concepts will be introduced progressively.

Hinweise zur Nutzung:

Throughout the course, students will engage with:

• Video Lectures – Pre-recorded sessions covering key concepts
• PowerPoint Presentations – Detailed lecture slides
• Quizzes (MCQs) – Weekly assessments for self-evaluation
• Discussion Forums – Interactive participation with peers
• Case Studies – Practical applications of business economics
• Podcasts – Insightful discussion about the lecture between two experts.

Students must successfully complete the multiple choice questions of each lecture in order to be able to unlock the next lecture. After completing all the lectures, students will be able to register for the final written exam.

A sample of final exam questions with answers is provided in each lecture. The final exam consists of questions which are picked randomly from the provided questions.

Kursumsetzung (verwendete Medien):

-

Erforderliche Technik:

-

Nutzungsentgelte:

für andere Personen als (reguläre) Studenten der vhb Trägerhochschulen nach Maßgabe der Benutzungs- und Entgeltordnung der vhb

Rechte hinsichtlich des Kursmaterials:

-

Verantwortlich

Anbieterhochschule:

OTH Amberg-Weiden

Anbieter:

Prof. Dr. Dr. Qeis Kamran

Autoren:

Qeis Kamran

Betreuer:

Mohammad Saeid Matinfar

Prüfung

Written examination (90 min)

Art der Prüfung:

schriftlicher Leistungsnachweis (Klausur)

Bemerkung:

–

Prüfer:

Prof. Dr. Dr. Qeis Kamran

Prüfungsanmeldung erforderlich:

ja

Anmeldeverfahren:

Die Anmeldung zur Prüfung erfolgt über das vhb-Portal.

Prüfungsanmeldefrist:

02.06.2025 07:00 Uhr bis 07.07.2025 23:59 Uhr

Prüfungsabmeldefrist:

02.06.2025 08:00 Uhr bis 07.07.2025 23:59 Uhr

Kapazität:

–

Prüfungsdatum:

11.07.2025

Prüfungszeitraum:

10:00 bis 11:30

Prüfungsdauer:

90 Minuten

Prüfungsort:

OTH Amberg-Weiden in Weiden and possibly others upon request

Zuständiges Prüfungsamt:

Examination office of the students' home university

Zugelassene Hilfsmittel:

None

Formale Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

Registration for the exam via the vhb portal

Inhaltliche Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

Course content

Zertifikat:

Ja (graded certificate)

Anerkennung:

–