The study of Economics is essential for informing business decisions and public policy choice. This course applies microeconomic principles and tools to the management of firms, including both small price-taker firms as well as large dominant firms with market power. You will develop an understanding of the economic and political environment in which firms operate and begin to think strategically about firm-to-firm, firm-to-consumer, and firm-to-government interactions. Concepts that assist managers to operate strategically include learning about market failure, pricing strategies, cooperative behaviour, decision-making under uncertainty, reactions to competitors and government intervention. Also examined are the underlying reasons for the existence of cartels, collusion, price discrimination, regulation, and trade barriers. The course also addresses contemporary public policy issues that impact on firms, such as pollution, resource depletion, provision of public goods and services, rental controls, minimum wages, and taxes and subsidies. Designed for students from varied academic backgrounds, the course develops both communication and critical analysis attributes allowing you to evaluate numerous day-to-day economic events at the local, national and international scale.