Keio University Syllabus and Timetable

BUSINESS ECONOMICS

SubtitleTheories of the firm
Lecturer(s)KAMEI, KENJU
Credit(s)2
Academic Year/Semester2023 Fall
Day/PeriodWed.1
CampusMita
Class FormatFace-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
Registration Number17268
Faculty/Graduate SchoolECONOMICS
Department/MajorECONOMICS PEARL COURSE
Year Level3, 4
FieldMAJOR SUBJECTS ELECTIVE ADVANCED COURSES (PEARL)
Course DescriptionThis course aims to develop specialized knowledge in the theories of firms in modern economy, such as (a) analysis of internal organization of firms alternative to markets, (b) employment relationships and how employers motivate employees (the manager-worker agency problem), and (c) managers and incentives (the owner-manager agency problem).
K-Number FEC-EC-35143-212-07
Course AdministratorFaculty/Graduate SchoolFECECONOMICS
Department/MajorECECONOMICS
Main Course NumberLevel3Third-year level coursework
Major Classification5Major Subjects Course- Advanced Course
Minor Classification14Lecture - Industry and Labor
Subject Type3Elective subject
Supplemental Course InformationClass Classification2Lecture
Class Format1Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
Language of Instruction2English
Academic Discipline07Economics, business administration, and related fields

Course Contents/Objectives/Teaching Method/Intended Learning Outcome

This course is about the roles that organizations such as firms play in economic life. We will consider reasons why some market actors are organizations (e.g., firms) rather than individual decision-makers, theoretically efficient incentive schemes, under ideal conditions, and the actual limitations, in real life, of private enterprises and markets, and agent behaviors. For example, we will study how organizations face moral hazard problems. Through this course, students can learn to apply their knowledge of economic theory to thinking about economic organizations. We will touch the recent development of behavioral and experimental research to test the validity of theories and conjecture if time allows.

Note: Business economics (Course number: 47073, spring) has exactly the same contents as business economics (Course number: 47074, fall). You can take only one of the courses. Business economics (Course number: 47073, spring) will be offered in Japanese. Business economics (Course number: 47074, fall) is a PEARL course and will be offered in English.

Course Plan

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Method of Evaluation

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Textbooks

The Economic Nature of the Firm: A Reader, 3rd Edition, 2009, edited by Louis Putterman and Randall S. Kroszner.
# Other reading lists will be announced in class dependent on needs.

Reference Books

To be announced in the first class

Lecturer's Comments to Students

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Question/Comments

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