Economics for Business & Policy

Contents
“Economics for Business & Policy” equips students with the ability to apply economic reasoning to real-world business decisions and public policy design. The course links foundational economic concepts with current issues in markets, regulation, sustainability, and global competition. A central component is the critical engagement with leading research articles from top economics journals, enabling students to summarize key insights and extract actionable management and policy implications. By the end of the course, students can interpret rigorous economic evidence and trans­late it into informed strategic decisions for firms as well as well-grounded recommendations for policymakers.

Learning outcomes
After successfully completing the module…

• …students are able to analyze economic problems using fundamental micro- and macroeconomic concepts and apply these tools to real-world business and policy contexts.
• …students understand the role and significance of economic mechanisms—such as market structures, incentives, externalities, and regulation—for managerial decision-making and public policy design.
• …students have acquired the ability to critically evaluate leading research articles published in top economics journals and extract key insights, management implications, and policy recommendations from empirical and theoretical findings.
• …students possess the skills to communicate economic arguments clearly and persuasively, both in written policy briefs and verbal presentations, tailored to organizational and policy stakeholders.
• …students have gained the competence to assess trade-offs and potential unintended consequences of regulatory interventions, sustainability measures, and strategic business decisions using economic reasoning and evidence.

Necessary prerequisites
Completion of the modules “Grundlagen der VWL” (8 ECTS), „Finanz­mathematik“ (3 ECTS), „Quanti­tative Methoden“ (3 ECTS), „Analysis“ (5 ECTS) and “Grundlagen der Statistik“ (8 ECTS)
Only those who meet the necessary requirements and are not studying business administration or economics can participate in the course.

Recommended prerequisites
Intended application to the Mannheim Master in Management program.

Examiner Performing lecturer

Prof. Dr. Florian Stahl Prof. Dr. Florian Stahl