Unit Outline

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the economic theory of business strategy and its implications for modern markets. The foundation theories of monopoly and perfect competition are reviewed, and their implications for markets are analysed. A brief introduction to game theory is presented, which allows the rigorous analysis of the strategic interaction between businesses in imperfect markets. Students will apply economic principles to study strategic pricing, horizontal and vertical mergers, strategic entry deterrence, tying and bundling, advertising and innovation. Upon completion of the unit, students will have gained the tools and knowledge to analyse and evaluate contemporary business strategies.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Define and interpret key concepts in business strategy.
2.	Identify and apply appropriate economic concepts and theories to the analysis of business strategy.
3.	Use economic models to analyse business strategies and effectively communicate conclusions supported by evidence.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	BEA305

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Written Presentation Proposal	Week 10	20 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Presentation	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Take-Home Assignments (x 2)	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Written Presentation Proposal

Task Description:

This proposal is worth 20% of your final grade.
You will be randomly placed in a group of up to 3 students for the
presentation. Your group will develop a presentation (power-point
video) on a topic of your choice. Your group will be required to
write a two-page proposal outlining the topic and content of your
presentation. Additional detail on the proposal and presentation will
be posted on MyLo.

Task Length:

Maximum of 2 pages

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clearly describe the proposed economic content of your presentations.	LO1
2	Clearly describe the motivation, context and purpose of your presentation with clear connection to economic theory.	LO3
3	Effectively communicate economics in a written format.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Presentation

Task Description:

The presentation is worth 40% of your final mark.
You will be randomly placed in a group of up to 3 students for the presentation. Your group will develop a presentation (power-point
video) on a topic of your choice. Additional detail on the presentation will be posted on MyLo

Task Length:

Approximately 25-minute presentation.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of the economic content of the presentation including theory, applications and context	LO1
2	Effectively communicate economic arguments both in written (carefully crafted slides) and oral formats	LO3
3	Use appropriate analytical tools including graphical analysis to support economics arguments.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Take-Home Assignments (x 2)

Task Description:

These assignments are each worth 20% for a total of 40% of your total grade.
The assignments will require you to solve a number of problems in business strategy and industrial organisation. The assignments will be based on the material covered in lectures, readings and workshops. The problems sets are intended to reinforce the theory
learned in class as well as provide you with the opportunity to develop and sharpen your analytical skill. The assignments emphasis
making evidence-based arguments and conclusions. Due Week 4 and Week 12

Task Length:

4-5 multipart questions: Students will have 10 to 12 days to complete the assignments.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the economic environment and correctly choose and apply the correct economic model.	LO1
2	Employ economic arguments supported by theory.	LO3
3	Use appropriate analytical tools including graphical analysis to support economics arguments.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.