- Academic Registry
Course & Unit Catalogues


MN20027: Economics of strategy: rivalry

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100% - Qualifying Mark: 35)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take MN20012 OR take MN20747
Learning Outcomes: This unit should enable students to analyse the economic and strategic decisions that derive from operating in a competitive environment. By the end of the course, students should have an in-depth understanding of strategic corporate decision-making and be able to analyse how competing firms pursue profit-maximisation that derives from an imperative to combat rivalry. In addition, students will gain an understanding of how both domestic and international competition may influence the policy environment.


Aims: This unit builds upon the economic analysis of the firm and its environment that was introduced in first year primer Business Economics units (MN10574, MN10070 or MN10567) and development in Economics of Strategy: The Firm. It focuses upon competition, rivalry and explores strategic interdependences between firms operating in domestic and in international markets.

Skills: Critical Reading of the academic and wider literature (F,A)
Critical Writing (F,A)
Interpretation of data (T,A)
Application of economics theories to the real world (T,A)
Ability to interface with web resources (F).

Content: The module explores both domestic and international competition. The unit begins with an analysis of a range of oligopoly theories that derive from industrial organisation theory. We then consider the emergence of dominance by investigating price leadership, investment and product differentiation. From there we consider firms' operation in international markets and specifically examine strategic aspects of Foreign Direct Investment decisions. Finally we shall examine how firms interact with and respond to the policy environment. Here we shall examine various aspects of industrial policy such as corporate taxation in addition to health & safety standards, environmental policy etc.

Course availability:

MN20027 is Optional on the following courses:

School of Management
  • UMMN-ANB07 : BSc(Hons) Business with Thin sandwich placement(s) (Year 3)
  • UMMN-AYB06 : BSc(Hons) International Management with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UMMN-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Management (Year 3)
  • UMMN-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Management with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UMMN-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Management with Marketing with Year long work placement (Year 4)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UXXX-AYB05 : BSc(Hons) International Management and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AYB04 : BSc(Hons) International Management and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AYB06 : BSc(Hons) International Management and Modern Languages (Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.