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.

  The following topics will be covered in the cases:

  • Business development.
  • Finance.
  • Valuation.
  • Marketing.
  • Human resource management.
  • Leadership.
  • Supply chain management.
  • Sustainability.
  • Business ethics.

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Students:

  • Can understand fundamental concepts in finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior and general management.
  • Will know how to structure a presentation and how to deliver it.

  Skills

  Students can:

  • 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.
  • Discuss sustainable solutions and their implications.
  • 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 can:

  • 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.

• Restricted access

  This course has restricted access. 50 students.

• Recommended prerequisites

  None.

• Compulsory Activity

  Class attendance is mandatory. If a student is prevented from attending class in person due to medical reason, I require written notification (and, if applicable, a doctor's note) at least 24 hours in advance. 

  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 3rd class session.

• Assessment

  Portfolio assessment

  The grading of the course will be determined by 3 different activities:

  • Class participation throughout the semester
    • Weight of approximately 50% (10% of which is self-evaluation and peer review)
  • Assignments throughout the semester
    • Weight of approximately 35%
    • These assignments are group-based.
      • Group size: 3-4 students
  • Final case and presentation at the end of the semester
    • Weight of approximately 15%
    • This final case and presentation is group-based.
      • Group size: 3-4 students

  All elements must be in English, and one grade is given for the entire portfolio.

  An assessment will not be organised in the the non-teaching semester (spring).

• Grading Scale

  A-F.

• Literature

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