ECN - Economics

ECN6111 Entrepreneurial Economics

MSEL Course

This course applies economic theory to decisions faced by entrepreneurs such as pricing, investment, data usage, and ethics. A primary focus of this course will be on using data to improve strategic decision making. Students will be encouraged to think about the strategic implications of decisions and to use both theory and data to support, validate, and revise decisions as needed. Entrepreneurial leaders are challenged in the global marketplace to effectively communicate not only the results of analysis but the rationale for decisions. Through both individual and group work, students will conduct market analysis and present the results while also interacting with their peers to provide constructive practical critiques.

ECN6310 Modern Econometrics for Business

3 Credits

Using an experiential learning approach, this course equips you with a wide variety of modern tools in prescriptive analytics, from business experiments to regression discontinuity, to give you the power to evaluate business strategies and policies. The course also covers extensive anatomy of regressions, hypothesis testing, Monte-Carlo simulation, and time series analysis and forecasting with a hands-on approach using applications from the world of business.

Prerequisites: MBA students will be required to review approximately 6 hours of pre-work videos

ECN7200 Managerial Economics

2 Credits

Managerial Economics (MICRO) - This course provides a framework for systematic analysis of consumer and firm’s choices in light of global market dynamics to create and capture value given the firm's and industry’s market structure. This framework is used to explain firm adjustment to changes in market conditions, as well as to changes in government policies and laws. While the course focuses on understanding how the value of the firm can be increased, it also addresses broader questions of efficiency, equity and sustainability.

ECN7201 International Macroeconomics and Business Environment Analysis
(Formerly Managing at the Crossroads: Business, Government, and the International Economy)

2 Credits

Managing at the Crossroads: Business, Government, and the International Economy (Mac-BGIE) – This course focuses on domestic and international cause-and-effect relationships among credit markets, goods and services markets, and foreign exchange markets. This global framework is used to explain the effect that economic, social, and/or political shocks have on a nation’s growth and prosperity.

ECN7500 Economic Analysis for Business Decisions
3 Elective Credits

If you have taken and passed ECN7200, you cannot register for ECN7500, as these two courses are equivalent

Running a successful business requires decision-making that is informed by an understanding of the market environment in which the firm operates. Business leaders and entrepreneurs need analytical skills and the ability to anticipate market dynamics if they are going to manage for growth. Economic Analysis for Business Decisions provides students strategic and tactical competencies such as: sizing market demand, identifying market opportunities, differentiating products and services effectively, strategic pricing, cost modeling, determining optimal firm size and identifying sources of market power. With these competencies in hand, students will then develop the ability to determine the best competitive strategies based on a clear understanding of an industry’s structure and behavior, and the firm’s advantages within the larger market. Students will use game theory to model strategic behavior, consider the firm’s responsibilities and the government’s role in correcting market failures, and will leave the course with an ability to create business models that will grow stakeholder value.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7505 International Macro: What Every MBA Should Know
3 Elective Credits

This course focuses on the intersection between international macroeconomics and business strategy. It highlights the movements of and interrelations among major macroeconomic variables that affect the performance of nations, in general, and businesses, in particular. None of these economic factors is controlled by any manager, but good managers must react to, cope with, and anticipate them. IM provides an intuitive, logical, and internally consistent framework for managers to: (1) function effectively in a world where business performance and strategies are affected by international institutions, domestic and global economic forces, as well as government and central bank policies , (2) evaluate whether government and central bank policies are sustainable, (3) create and critically evaluate country analyses, (4) clarify how changes in a country’s economic climate affect corporate financial plans and capital budgeting decisions, and (5) improve financial projections (e.g., cash flow statements, income statements and balance sheets). With this knowledge, managers are better able to internalize, analyze, and make decisions based on the expected impact that economic, political, and social forces have on companies’ strategies, competitive positions, and performances.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7510 Financial and Macroeconomics Data Analysis
3 Elective Credits

There are numerous challenges to competently modeling/forecasting financial and macroeconomic variables. Basic statistical analysis may yield misleading results for various reasons including time-varying volatility, structural change, and outliers. Time series data is also often “non-stationary” which, if not addressed, can lead to spurious regression or “nonsense correlations”. Analysis of “big data” meanwhile can promote model selection bias where the effects in the final model are overstated. Moreover, the relationship of cause and effect between variables is often two-way, where both variables affect each other. In this class, you will learn several methods to address these problems including: cointegration (to address non-stationarity), vector autoregression (to allow for interdependence between variables), and a machine learning algorithm to conduct unbiased model selection from “big data” while addressing outliers and structural change.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7515 Business Model Innovation to Compete in the Digital Economy

3 Elective Credits

This course explores the transformative power of business model innovation in driving company success. Business model innovation is a critical consideration for both startups and established firms as competitive landscapes and industries are experiencing dramatic evolution. This course provides students with the tools to design, implement, and adapt innovative business models effectively.

Through this course, students will analyze business model innovation, respond to disruptive market entrants, and determine whether a company should operate a single or multiple business models. We will also examine strategies for launching and addressing key challenges in multisided platforms. Additionally, we will explore how entrepreneurial organizations can leverage business model innovation to challenge incumbents, even in mature industries.

Key questions to be explored are: How can a startup disrupt industries such as retail, finance, wine, music, and biotechnology? What fundamental considerations are necessary when designing business models that simultaneously serve multiple customer segments? How can we develop sustainable business models? What are the key challenges in launching innovations based on multisided platforms? How should we approach matching mechanisms, network effects, and pricing in business model innovation? How can operating multiple business models simultaneously create a competitive advantage that is difficult to replicate?

Regardless of your career aspirations, understanding business models is essential. For instance, in investment banking or private equity, a deep understanding of a company’s “engine” (i.e., its business model) is crucial for evaluating profitability. In consulting, solving organizational challenges effectively requires a strong grasp of business model dynamics. In industry, regardless of sector or role, understanding the broader business context is essential for informed decision-making. In entrepreneurship, business model innovation is a powerful tool for achieving competitive success.

The course emphasizes real-world application through case studies and examples from diverse industries and global markets. All cases and readings reflect contemporary business challenges.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7520 Economic and Financial Forecasting

3 Credits

If you have taken and passed QTM9501, you cannot register for ECN7520, as these two courses are equivalent

Do you anticipate making or evaluating economic and business forecasts in your career? This _hands-on_ course provides students a comprehensive introduction to the field of forecasting and econometrics. It covers three main areas of forecasting: basic statistical methods, structural models, and time series models. Throughout the course we will focus on applied examples and use software to forecast key economic and business measures of performance (such as asset pricing, investment risk, interest rates, unemployment rates, industry level and firm level sales, revenues and other variables) while learning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of these forecasts.

These techniques can improve corporate financial planning, marketing, sales forecasts, production planning, and many other decisions where better predictions in light of uncertainty can reduce costs, raise profits and lead to better decision-making.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7550 Business Strategy and Game Theory 3 Elective Credits This course makes extensive use of Game Theory (in addition to applied economics and other emerging strategic models) to provide a systematic and rigorous approach for formulating winning strategies for creating and capturing value in the context of interdependence and uncertainty. This course will empower you with the knowledge and skills to frame the strategic questions for data analysis and turn data into strategic insight and foresight for agile startups as well as for large corporations. Case studies are used to illustrate successful application of strategies. The teaching method utilizes simulations, gaming, and practical, case-based discussions. Topics include: threats and opportunities in the supply chain, the dynamics of pricing rivalry, entry decisions/entry deterrence, mergers and acquisitions, strategic commitment, negotiating, bidding, and managing innovation for sustaining competitive advantage. Antitrust issues are also addressed.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7555 Health Care: Markets, Analytics and Strategies
(Formerly Health Economics)
3 Elective Credits

Health care costs account for 18% of U.S. GDP, which is one reason the health care industry is abundant with job openings and entrepreneurship opportunities! This is especially true in the Boston area, which has become a global leader in the health care and life sciences industries. This course follows a hands-on, two-pronged approach to solve real-world problems.

• Prong #1 focuses on the market and organizational structures of major stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, health care tech companies, insurers, hospitals, physicians, patients, and government.

• Prong #2 uses empirical methods, such as big data, survey, Pay-for-Performance, and Health Technology Assessment, to analyze these stakeholders’ challenges, assess business opportunities, and design evidence-based strategies. In addition, you will learn SAS, a highly demanded analytical skill on the job market.

For students interested in health care and life science industries, this course will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed for evidence-based, expert-level opinions. For students interested in in analytics, the methods used in health care analyses are applicable, transferrable, and relevant to a host of other industries and functions, such as marketing and finance.

Prerequisites: None

ECN7575 Business Models, Competitiveness, and the Changing European Environment
3 Elective Abroad Credits

Program fee is paid to Glavin Office – program fee includes: accommodations, breakfast, ground transportation, program planned meals and cultural excursions. Not included: tuition, international flight, single room supplement (additional $500), visa costs, additional meals and personal expenses.

ECN 7575 explores competitive and strategic dimensions of companies doing business in the European Union (EU) in the context of EU competitiveness, institutions, policies, history and culture. This course studies ways that companies organize and define core competencies to build successful global brands. It further examines emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges for business and business creation in Italy and in the EU. ECN7575 explores how companies adapt and take advantage of business model disruptions, such as changes in technology and EU regulation, in light of current market dynamics. This course is grounded in economic fundamentals of relevant market definition, competitiveness in different geographies, firm behavior and performance, and provides students with opportunities to evaluate how companies position themselves for success in global markets based on their business model and strategic choices.

ECN 7575 is divided into two parts: two on-campus lectures (WebEx available for Blended Learning students) and a week-long site visit to Italy. In Italy, students will visit 5-6 companies to study challenges and opportunities they are facing in the context of the EU, its institutions, and global competition. Past company visits include among others: Amazon, PayPal, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati, Ermenegildo Zegna, Armani, Eataly, Brembo and DHL. In addition, several faculty from Bocconi University will offer lectures and case discussions pertaining to the current developments in the EU and the European Competitiveness court and relate them to relevant company visits. Applications discussed will also include luxury brand management, integrated supply chains, and consequences of specific business model choices for valuation, revenue potential, and brand equity objectives. Last but not least, several activities are planned that will allow students to engage in and embrace Italian history and culture. Past excursions include a night at La Scala, a guided tour of Milan, a viewing of Leonardo DaVinci’s The Last Supper, and attending a soccer game at San Siro.

Prerequisites: ECN7200, ECN7201, ECN7500 or ECN7505

ECN7580 Independent Research

1.5-3 Credits

Independent research is available for all academic divisions. Registration is manual for students through Graduate Programs and Student Affairs.

Independent Research provides an opportunity to conduct in-depth research in areas of a student's own specific interest. Students may undertake Independent Research for academic credit with the approval of a student-selected faculty advisor, the appropriate division chair, and Graduate Programs and Student Affairs. Please note that a student is responsible for recruiting a faculty advisor through the student's own initiative and obtain the advisor's prior consent/commitment before applying for an independent research project. Authorization for such a project requires submission of a formal proposal written in accordance with standards set forth by the Graduate School. The research project normally carries 1.5 or 3 credits.

For more information and a proposal outline please visit: http://www.babson.edu/Academics/graduate/mba/Pages/independent-research.aspx