FIN14 Business Cases

• Topics

  This course gives students the opportunity to learn business fundamentals in finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior and general management. The course is delivered using the case method, which challenges students to learn by doing, within an active class environment.

   

  Students will explore real business issues, propose solutions to the problems in hand, present their solutions, and defend their position. 

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Students are able to:

  • Understand fundamental concepts in finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior and general management.
  • Know how to structure a presentation and how to deliver it.

   

  Skills

  Students are able to:

  • Analyze real-life problems, identifying the key issues and questions.
  • Apply the theory and models on practical business problems of relevance for management and firm stakeholders.
  • Analyze data and solve problems using Excel.
  • Present the problem as well as the proposed solution using Powerpoint.
  • Think critically about their own solution, identifying risks and potential mitigation strategies.

   

  General competence

  Students are able to:

  • Address management decisions in a systematic manner focusing on analytic treatment of available data.
  • Communicate and defend proposed solutions to professionals.
  • Carry out extensive independent work on business problems.
  • Work in a team environment, dividing tasks and presenting as a group.

• Teaching

  This is a case based course, supported by lectures and visitors. The emphasis of the course is on the discussion and analysis of the assigned cases. Active participation is crucial and it is one of the grading elements.

  Students have a responsibility to come well prepared and participate actively in the classroom discussion. I encourage voluntary participation, but may call on any student.

  Lectures will be taught in the normal classroom if that is a viable option. However, if that is not possible, lectures will be given via Zoom as this will still allow for an active environment.

• Restricted access

  Limit on number students: 60

   

  This limit is required given that the teaching method is the case method. To foster an active class environment I cannot have no more than 60 students.

• Recommended prerequisites

  None.

• Requirements for course approval

  Class attendance is mandatory. If a student is prevented from attending class in person due to quarantine or for a medical reason, I require written notification (and, if applicable, a doctor's note) at least 24 hours in advance. The entire class will then be switched to online delivery via Zoom. Attendance in an online class requires that you have your webcam on the entire class.

  Students should attend every class, also those with visiting speakers. While I may grant permission to miss a class for personal reasons, you need to ask for permission in advance. A student missing more than three classes without prior approval will fail the course.

  This course will be closed for registration after the 4th class session.

• Assessment

  The grading of the course will be determined by 4 different elements:

  • Class participation throughout the semester
    • Weight of 20%
  • Assignments throughout the semester
    • Weight of 30%
  • Placemat presentation mid-semester
    • Weight of 20%
  • Final case and presentation at the end of the semester
    • Weight of 30%

  Since this is a case-based course with several cases reappearing year after year, students can take the course only one time. It is possible to retake the course only if a student fails. However, the evaluation of class participation for cases previously discussed will not improve.

• Grading Scale

  A-F.

• Literature

  Course package, containing articles and cases (will be made available on Canvas)