Graduate Courses in the College of Business and Economics

Students will take 15 to 18 credits in electives depending on the credits earned for their integrative experience in MBA 406.

Students may design a concentration to meet their career goals. Nine credit hours of approved electives are required for a concentration in Finance, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Concentrations in International Business and Management of Technology require twelve credit hours of approved electives.

To increase flexibility, students may also take up to six credit hours of electives outside of the College of Business and Economics (but within Lehigh University).

All elective courses must be at the 400 level.

GBUS 401. Financial Reporting for Managers and Investors. (3)
Corporate financial reporting under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Analysis and interpretation of financial statements: accrual accounting, balance sheet valuation, income determination and cash flow analysis. Profit manipulation, window dressing and "creative accounting" through accounting policy choices. Fraudulent financial reporting, uses and limitations of accounting information. Accounting information as a tool for strategic decision making

GECO 401. Basic Statistics for Business and Economics. (3)
Descriptive statistics, probability and probability distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, chi- square analysis and analysis of variance. Computer applications.

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Core Courses

MBA 401. Introduction to the Organization and its Environment. (1)
An MBA core course which introduces the entering MBA student to the workings of today's organization and how it impacts and is impacted by its envirotunent. These concepts will be exposed by using the integrated value chain model and applied through the analysis of a comprehensive case. The course will be offered over a two day period at the beginning of each semester.

MBA 402. Managing Financial and Physical Resources. (4)
An MBA core course designed to integrate financial and managerial concepts into operations decisions. Disciplines of Accounting, Finance and Economics are combined to provide substantive foundations for discussing and analyzing data. implications of analysis are applied to facilitate decision making in other areas such as marketing, operations (manufacturing, logistics and engineering), human resources, information technology and general

MBA 403. Managing Information. (4)
An MBA core course dealing with concepts and methods involved in the collection, organization and domination of information that helps managers make operational and strategic decisions. The course also deals with attributes of information and examines enterprise-wide impacts of local decisions. Revenue, cost, time and quality-based information are accorded equal emphasis, while students are exposed to alternative evaluation methods for decisions related to different parts of the value chain. Topics include: activity based costing; activity based management; transaction analysis; operational and strategic decisions such as outsourcing, design partnerships, etc; investment analysis for short life-cycle investments; evaluation of uncertainty, risk and ambiguity; metrics development; compensation policies; segment evaluation methods; target costing and functional analysis; quality ftmction deployment; total cost of ownership; and transfer pricing. In addition, the course deals with: information technology enablers which allow firms to improve value delivered to customers; and evaluation and management of emerging forms of cooperation, such as joint ventures and project based strategic alliances. Prerequisites: MBA 401, GBUS 401 and GECO 401 or equivalents.

MBA 404. Managing Products and Services. (4)
An MBA core course focusing on the management of products and services within a firm's value chain. The course addresses exceeding customer expectations, establishing total quality as the core foundation, developing a strong customer focus, creating value through supply chain management, developing new products for competitive advantage, matching aggregate supply with customer demand, and designing market channels and influencing customers. Prerequisite: MBA 401

MBA 405. Managing People. (4)
An MBA core course that examines how effective organizations are created, maintained, and improved. The course will focus on how we attract good people into an organization and how we make them productive. Topics include: organizational design, job design, staffing, training and development, performance teams, influence, diversity, change, ethical decision making, and current people issues facing today's organizations. The course includes a comprehensive simulation (to be conducted on a Saturday during the semester) and a group project which allows students to apply the principles and concepts covered in the course. Prerequisite: MBA 401

MBA 406. Integrative Experience. (1-4)
An MBA core course requirement which provides alternative methods for students to apply the body of knowledge acquired in MBA 401 through MBA 405. Students will have the choice of taking a case course, developing and working on a project through their employer or with a corporate partner, an internship or other suitable experiential learing The preferred option is an outside project rather than a case course. The academic rigor and time required to complete the project or course will determine the number of credits earned. For an example of MBA406 please link here.

GBUS 404 through 410 - These courses are core courses in the traditional MBA Program and may not be used in the MBA Program which begins in Fall 1998. Descriptions for these courses appear at the end of this document.

Accounting Electives

GBUS 413. Advanced Management Accounting. (3)

Issues in management accounting including activity-based costing, activity based management, strategic cost management, theory of constraints, advanced manufacturing technologies, cost of quality and life-cycle costing. Readings and cases. Prerequisite: MBA403/GBUS 407 or a course in cost accounting.

This course focuses on analysis of financial statements. It develops the skills necessary to interpret and use financial statement information effectively to assess profitability and risk and is intended for individuals likely to became intensive users of financial accounting information. Requirements include readings, case studies, presentations, and written analysis of actual financial statements. Prerequisite: GBUS 401 and MBA402 or permission of the instructor.

Corporate financial reports from the perspective of the user-analyst; disclosure, price-level accounting, foreign currency, business combinations, leases and analysis of financial statements. Case studies. Prerequisite: MBA402 and MBA403/GBUS 407.

Critical and historical examination of modern accounting concepts. Measurement, communication, and interpretation of enterprise income, capital and related economic data. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours of accounting.

Finance Electives

A survey course in investments. Mostly from the perspective of the institutional investor, but consideration given to corporation finance and personal investing. Topics include: valuation, risk management, and portfolio theory. Course includes exposure to software and databases used by "Wall Street" professionals. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS 406.

Advanced topics relating to specific areas of investment such as: theoretical and empirical examination of recent developments in portfolio theory; risk preferences, inflation, and market conditions; global investing. The course content may vary between instructors and over time. Prerequisite: GBUS420

An examination of the theory and applications of a variety of derivative instruments used in corporation finance, banking and investments. Topics include: forward contracts (including swaps and repos), futures contracts, and options (listed, over-the-counter, and embedded). Prerequisite: GBUS 420

Determinants of financial asset values. The role of uncertainty, imprecise forecasts, risk preferences, inflation and market conditions. Prerequisite: GBUS 406.

Advanced topics relating to specific areas of corporate finance such as: theoretical and empirical examination of recent developments in financial management; asset valuation and capital budgeting including the role of uncertainty, imprecise forecasts, risk preferences, inflation, market conditions, and the global marketplace; working capital management, leasing, mergers, and financing. The course content may vary between instructors and over time. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS406.

An upper level course in modern real estate financing techniques from the perspectives of both the borrower and the lender. Subject matter encompasses the following areas: The Principles of Financing Decisions; Financing Methods and Techniques; Institutional Sources of Funds for Real Estate; and Real Estate Financing Decisions. Students are assumed to have a background in the basics of finance, micro and macroeconomics, statistics and quantitative analysis. The course consists of: lectures, demonstrations, software applications, and practitioner presentations. Prerequisites: MBA402/GBUS406. GBUS420 (Investments) is recommended.

Asset and liability management of commercial banks, savings and loan associations, life insurance companies, and pension funds. Short and long-run responses to changes in economic conditions, interest rates and regulations. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS 406.

Analysis of the U.S. monetary and banking systems. Financial markets. Central bank controls. Monetary theory and policy. Prerequisite: GECO 403 or equivalent.

Theories of interest and capital annuities, applications of present value theory, investment valuation under uncertainty and risk, term structure of interest rates, the theory of savings, cost of capital and capital formation. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS 406 or equivalent.

The role of money in the economy from theoretical and empirical perspectives. The influence of money and prices, interest rates, output and employment. Prerequisite: GECO/GBUS 427 or equivalent.

The economics of public spending and taxation, principles of government debt management, theories of budgeting and cost-benefit analysis, and public choice.

Relationship of quantitative models to financial theory and applications. Capital budgeting, portfolio selection, security evaluation, cash management, inventory policy and credit analysis. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS 406.

Law Electives

Impact of federal taxation on the structure and timing of business decisions. Problem-solving methods and research techniques from a managerial perspective. Prerequisite: GBUS 401 or a basic course in accounting.

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Management Electives - Organizational Behavior

A survey of personnel management activities in organizations. Topics include human resource planning, recruitment, selection, equal employment opportunity, performance appraisal, compensation, career planning, safety and health, and quality of work life issues. Course consists of lectures, discussion, and case analysis.

Variables relevant to determining the design of structures and processes of organizations; techniques pertinent to organizational adaptation to changed environments, technologies and social factors. Prerequisite: MBA405/GBUS 405.

A study of consulting practices in general and their application to small business. Processes include a field study/counseling service to a local business. Emphasis is on the identification and analysis of multidisciplinary problems and opportunities and the implementation of recommendations. Prerequisites: completion of MBA background courses (or equivalent) and permission of the instructor.

Examines the major issues and dilemmas facing American corporate enterprise as human diversity in the workplace rises sharply over the next decade due to new cultural populations and lifestyles emerging in the domestic workforce. Closely examined are the organizational challenges of developing managerial leadership styles that focus on both quality management outcomes as well as quality of work life and the overall organizational culture. The course combines speakers from diverse "interest groups" with reflective seminar readings, group writings and class discussions. Position papers and a final paper synthesizing the interactive experience with the seminar learning is required of each participant. Prerequisite: MBA405/GUS 405 and 2 or more years of work experience preferred.

Organization, style and strategy of language to inform, direct and persuade. Application of writing, reading, speaking and listening skills to managerial problems. Case studies.

A study of the U.S. system of industrial relations, including the evolution and present status of labor law; union organizing efforts; the strategy of negotiations; the substantive provisions of collective bargaining and the administration of collective agreements. Also considered is the role of unions in the implementation of programs for employee self-management and other workplace innovations

A study of the process of bringing an invention to market with emphasis on commercial potential. Industrial analysis, competitor intelligence and strategic issues will be emphasized along with the development of market strategy and an overall business plan. Extensive research including data base searches will be included. Instructor permission required.

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Management Electives - Operations Research and Analytical Management

A survey course designed to introduce the MBA/MSE student to the vital role played by supply management in achieving overall effectiveness for the firm in today's global economy. The course starts by examining the traditional purchasing process and then moves on to an examination of the evolution of purchasing into supply management and, finally, to the role purchasing plays in improving effectiveness of the entire value chain. Course consists of lectures, discussion and case analysis.

Application of management science methods to industrial and commercial problems. Scientific method, decision theory, linear programming, inventory control, regression analysis, forecasting, simulation, and related areas are examined in the context of accounting, finance, marketing and manufacturing.

Theory and applications of the extensions of linear programming, Tucker-Kuhn conditions, gradient methods of optimization, simplex-based methods of nonlinear programming, integer programming, branch and bound, zero-one discrete programming and stochastic programming. Prerequisite: a course in linear programming.

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The roles of customer functions served, customer groups served and technologies utilized in defining their business are considered. Students perform a marketing audit and develop a marketing plan. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS 408.

A broad overview of managerial decisions involved in developing, planning, presenting, and implementing advertising and promotional activities for business and not-for-profit organizations. Analysis of current campaigns and a term project are semester assignments. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS408.

GBUS 462. Buyer Behavior and Marketing Management. (3)

Concepts, methodologies and current research involving consumer and organizational buying behavior. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS 408.

Planning and organizing strategic sales programs; developing the sales force through recruitment, training and motivation; control of sales programs through performance evaluation of sales personnel, and integrating sales with other marketing activities. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS 408.

Marketing and sales problems associated with manufacturers of industrial products: organization and productivity of the sales force, product-line policies, pricing strategies, buyer requirements, customer service and formal proposals. Prerequisites: MBA402/GBUS 406 and MBA404/GBUS 408.

Analysis of problems associated with developing and marketing new products and processes in technologically oriented enterprises, from inception of idea to planning marketing strategies. Prerequisites: MBA402/GBUS 406 and MBA404/GBUS 408.

Obtaining relevant marketing information for decision-making is examined from two perspectives: special projects and information systems. Student projects. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS 408.

This course brings together a single analytical framework and two longstanding traditions: simultaneous equation modeling (regression analysis) and factor analysis (measurement models). Topics covered include measurement error, reliability, validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and latent variable modeling. Prerequisites: intermediate statistical theory or consent of department chairperson.

Criteria which distinguish scientific research from other significant human activities; development of concepts, laws and theories; general principles of research design; measurement theory; and scientific values and ethics. Students are expected to prepare a defensible dissertation proposal during the course.

Applications-oriented analysis of variance, regression analysis and multi-variate analysis. SPSS, BMD and other computer packages are used to analyze empirical data. Prerequisite: intermediate statistics or consent of chairperson.

Financial management of multinational firms. Consideration of problems arising from diversity of currencies, investment opportunities, risk and international capital markets. Prerequisite: MBA402/GBUS 406.

Various legal problems of engaging in business abroad, including contracts, technology transfer, property ownership, business organizations and labor, using a case and problem-solving approach.

Emphasis is placed on understanding the process of globalization and its resultant impact on the firm's marketing function. Case analyses and/or computer simulations are employed to enhance the student's understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the firm pursuing globalization. Prerequisite: MBA404/GBUS 408.

GBUS476. Globalization and Management of Technology. (3)

Management of science and technology in the context of international business and the globalization of markets, competition and corporations. Management of global industrial R & D; technology-based global strategic alliances; global external technology sourcing, complex human resources and cross-cultural issues; etc. Develops an appreciation of the scientific and technical capabilities available globally and the potential for global cooperative and/or competition in this regard.

Review of current literature on technology management with emphasis on the relationships among business strategy, competitive conditions, management practice and the technological innovation process. Case Studies and outside speakers. Critical analysis of research and application to technology management problems.

GBUS 481. Technology, Operations and Competitive Strategy. (3)

Develops an understanding and appreciation of the interrelationships among technology, operations and the competitive strategy of the firm. Industry analysis and competitiveness; competitive strategy formulation and implementation; value chain analysis; operations strategy and technology strategy; operation's contributions to competitive advantages in cost, quality and variety and new product introduction.

Management of cross-functional project teams for introducing technological innovations in the manufacturing and marketing of new products and services in a variety of industries.

Developing R&D programs to achieve strategic business objectives; selecting, staffing and managing R&D projects; and transferring research results to commercial functions.

The science and technology institutional infrastructure and its relationships with management decision-making, including private, public (government) and quasi-public institutions; R&D, regulatory, and policy institutions; and U.S., foreign and international institutions.

Classical macro-study of adoption and diffusion of innovation, and managing the implementation/utilization/application of new technology in the organization/corporate culture.

Study of techniques that describe, decode and translate social phenomena. Explores how interpretive researchers plan and conduct studies and present findings. Studies investigators' roles, data sources, observation methods, data-analysis methods and trustworthiness of findings. A field research project is required.

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A survey course designed to introduce the MBA/MSE student to the vital role played by supply management in achieving overall effectiveness for the firm in today's global economy. The course starts by examining the traditional purchasing process and then moves on to an examination of the evolution of purchasing into supply management and, finally, to the role purchasing plays in improving effectiveness of the entire value chain. Course consists of lectures, discussion and case analysis.

The control of physical distribution and inventories; the flow of information, products and cash through integrated supply chains.

Marketing and sales problems associated with manufacturers of industrial products: organization and productivity of the sales force, product-line policies, pricing strategies, buyer requirements, customer service and formal proposals. Prerequisites: MBA402/GBUS 406 and MBA404/GBUS 408.

Economics

Ph.D. Required Core Courses

Selected topics in the history of economic thought, with special attention to the origins of modern economic theory. Prerequisite: a graduate course in economic theory.

Applications of various mathematical techniques in the formation and development of economic concepts and theories. Prerequisite: consent of the chairperson.

A survey of methods of decision-making at the microeconomic level; price theory and econometric applications. Prerequisite: GECO 402 or equivalent.

Resource allocation and price determination. Theories of choice of consumers, firms and resource owners under various market forms. Prerequisites: GECO 401 and GECO 413 or equivalents.

Computer applications of standard econometric techniques using regression analysis in a single-equation context. Discussion of problems of multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation. An introduction to simultaneous equation models, identification and estimation problems. Prerequisite: GECO 401.

Mathematical and statistical specification of economic models. Statistical estimation and tests of parameters in single and multiple equation models. Prediction and tests of structural changes. Prerequisites: GECO 401 (or equivalent) and calculus.

Macroeconomic theory and policy. Emphasis on theoretical models and policy implications. Prerequisite: GECO 403 or equivalent.

Models of employment, income and growth in monetary economies. Policies for economic stability and growth. Prerequisite: GECO 417 or equivalent.

Application of economics and statistical analysis to managerial decision-making. Business and economics forecasting. Empirical estimation of demand, production and cost functions. Resource allocations and pricing strategies in various market structures. Decisions under risk and uncertainty. Government regulations of business. Cases. Prerequisite: Calculus and GECO401 or equivalent

GECO403. Money, Banking and Macroeconomics Analysis (3)

The monetary process and the determination of macroeconomic variables: income, output, employment and prices. Money and capital markets, interest rates, functions of financial intermediaries, monetary and fiscal policy, and recent macroeconomics issues.

GECO404. Technology, Trade and Economics Growth (1)

Overview of the role of technology in economics systems. Productivity and growth effects, relationships to industry structure, impacts on international trade and competitiveness. Prerequisite: intended to be taken concurrently with GECO402

Determinants of financial asset values. The role of uncertainty, imprecise forecasts, risk preferences, inflation and market conditions. Prerequisite: GBUS 406.

Analysis of the U.S. monetary and banking systems. Financial markets. Central bank controls. Monetary theory and policy. Prerequisite: GECO 403 or equivalent.

Theories of interest and capital. Annuities; applications of present value theory; investment valuation under uncertainty and risk; term structure of interest rates; the theory of savings, cost of capital and capital formation. Prerequisite: GBUS 406 or equivalent.

The role of money in the economy from theoretical and empirical perspectives. The influence of money and prices, interest rates, output and employment. Prerequisite: GECO/GBUS 427 or equivalent.

The economics of public spending and taxation; principles of government debt management; theories of budgeting and cost-benefit analysis and public choice.

Analysis of the colonial economy, transition to industrialization, and the role of trade and transportation in America's development. A consideration of the importance of slavery to the 19th-century American economy and other New World economies. Origin and development of banking and financial markets. Prerequisites: GECO 401 and GECO 402 or equivalents.

The economics of labor markets and various labor-market institutions with emphasis on current theoretical and empirical research. Prerequisites: Eco 401 and Eco 408 or equivalents.

The economics of energy production and consumption. Energy system modeling for forecasting and planning. Theoretical models of resource exploitation over time. Regulation of the energy industry. Prerequisites: GECO 402 and GBUS 403 or equivalents.

The application of traditional and spatial economics to the location of economic activity focusing on the urban economic problems of business location, housing, land value, land use and intra-urban transportation.

A study of the methodology of regional science with emphasis on metropolitan area analysis. A survey of the applications of this methodology to the economic problems of regions and metropolitan areas.

Analysis of the economic justification for government regulation of private enterprise. Topics include antitrust policy, utilities, and health, safety and environmental regulation. Prerequisite: GECO 402 or equivalent.

Economic theory of natural resources. Optimal policies for the development of renewable and nonrenewable resources and environmental quality. Prerequisite: GECO 402 or equivalent.

Economic theory of health care delivery systems. Financing health care services. Case studies of specific economic-financing problems and/or international comparisons of health care delivery. Prerequisite: GECO 401 or GECO 402 or permission of the instructor.

The goal of the course is to review theoretical and empirical attempts by economists to understand market structures lying between the extremes of perfect competition and monopoly. The course will focus first on describing the current U.S. industrial structure and reviewing models of imperfect competition. The course then shifts to a closer study of individual firm behavior. The final segment of the course is an overview of two significant relationships between government and industry caused by the existence of imperfect competition.

Classical decomposition of time series, trend analysis, exponential smoothing, spectral analysis and Box-Jenkins autoregressive and moving average methods.

Methods of economic and business forecasting.

An expanded development of statistical concepts necessary for business and economic research. Topics include probability theory, sets, density functions and distributions, sampling distributions, point estimation, moment generating functions, maximum likelihood, classical statistical inference, power functions, likelihood ratio tests and non-parametric tests. Prerequisite: calculus.

A mathematical analysis of how people interact in strategic situations. Topics include normal-form and extensive-form representations of games, various types of equilibrium requirements, the existence and characterization of equilibria, and mechanism design. The analysis is applied to microeconomic problems including industrial organization, international trade, and finance. Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus, GECO 414 and GECO 412 (or permission of the instructor).

Foundations of theory construction and empirical research in economics.

International Economics Electives

Analysis of the structure and functioning of the international monetary system, international capital markets, Eurocurrency markets, fixed and floating exchange rates, and the role of international monetary institutions in foreign exchange risk management.

An introduction to the basic theoretical concepts in international economic development and an evaluation of their application by means of a representative sample of the literature.

Theories of comparative advantage, factor price equalization, trade and welfare, tariffs, trade and factor movements. Prerequisite: GECO 413 or consent of the chairperson.

Theory of the balance of payments, the microeconomics of international finance, various approaches to balance-of-payments adjustments, theories of foreign exchange-rate determination and macroeconomic policy under fixed and flexible exchange rates. Prerequisite: GECO 417 or consent of the chairperson.

Explores theoretical models and empirical evidence on the economics of innovation and technical change. Includes examination of: the role of technology in competitiveness, industrial structure and economic growth; alternative models of the innovative process; Incentives for and other conditions affecting research and development; the evaluation of the justifications for government support of R&D. Prerequisites: GECO 402

Each year special courses are offered. Some, taught by visiting faculty or guest experts, are offered one time only. Others, taught by full-time faculty, are experimental courses being developed for inclusion in the regular curriculum.

Seminar in International Accounting. An examination of the international dimensions and standards of accounting, institutional framework in which standards are developed, comparative financial reporting and disclosure practices, and managerial accounting concerns (transfer pricing, performance evaluation, investment and foreign exchange risk management). Technical issues (foreign currency translation, inflation, consolidations), auditing, and taxation, as well as the implications of global economic alliances for accounting, standard-setting, and practice will also be considered. This course is designed for MBA students who have a strong interest in financial accounting and management planning and control systems of multinational companies. Prerequisite: GBUS 407.

Country Risk Analysis. Country risk arises from the possibility that economic or political changes in a foreign county may adversely affect the value of trade or financial transactions involving that country. Country risk incorporates political risk, sovereign risk, transfer risk and exchange-rate risk. The debt crisis and its aftermath show the costs involved in failing to deal with the uncertainties in foreign trade and finance that are not present in domestic trade and finance.

Seminar on Financial Theory. Examination of the theoretical foundations of finance, consisting of three major parts, utility theory, arbitrage, portfolio formation and efficient markets; single-period equilibrium models; and multiperiod or intertemporal models. Empirical research is discussed in the context of various theoretical concepts.

Contemporary Issues in Health Care Management. Study of the economic, social, political and technological forces and the changes they are bringing about in the health professions and the health care delivery systems. Issues considered include ethics, health insurance, hospital management, government regulation, quality measures, information systems, and opportunities for new ventures. Expert guest lecturers, student projects and case studies.

Corporate Communications Strategies. This course examines how managers use internal and external communications to implement corporate objectives and strategies. It identifies macro-communication issues relating to corporate goals, policies and cultures. Students assess how documents such as annual reports, employee newsletters, image brochures and corporate advertisements reflect corporate policy and assist in strategic planning. Emphasis is placed on developing communication plans and preparing oral and written means to implement those plans .

International Business Management. The objective of this course is to understand the interrelationship among various disciplines in international finance, international economics, international marketing and international trade. These disciplines are, in fact, parts of a comprehensive international business management. The course surveys the world in which international business occurs. The students are required to solve cases, write reports on major international business topics and develop an international business expansion plan for local manufacturers.

International Business and Technology Management. This course is an overview of international science and technology (S&T), including the nature of research and development (R&D); national S&T policies; S&T in the context of international business and trade; S&T in economic development; international organizations; S&T and multinational corporations; intellectual property rights and international cooperative arrangements; military R&D; technology transfer and other issues.

In the Shoes of the Entrepreneur. Exploration of some key issues involved in being an entrepreneur, including strategy, finance and control, management style, people and personal values. Learning via text and interaction with entrepreneurs.

Managing Transitions and Change. A management-development workshop intended for graduate students who confront significant changes in their professional or personal lives, such as promotion, transfer, marriage, separation or changing jobs. The workshop begins as a seminar with an examination of some principles from humanistic psychology about adult growth and development, and a three-state model of the "transitioning process" and how this relates to the stages of adult development. The workshop shifts to a seminar-experiential mode by combining personal transitions states. The workshop uses text analysis, group discussion and written work, in addition to experiential methods of self-assessment, simulations, role-playing, and symbolic interactions. Two formal papers are required, a brief concept paper on adult maturing and maturity for the mid-term, and a course-synthesis paper for the final.

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The emphasis of the course is on information system (IS) topics that most directly affect operations level managers. The topics covered include: transactions cycles, management's responsibility for establishing internal controls, alternative technologies for transaction processing, database management systems, distributed data processing and networks, end-user computing, management reporting systems and advanced systems technologies including Decision Support Systems, Expert Systems and Neural Networks. The course follows a lecture and mini-case format. Students work in teams to design an information system for a term project. Prerequisites: GBUS 401 and GBUS 405 or concurrently

Interpersonal and group behavior in organizations, issues of organization work and perception, motivation, communications, conflict dynamics, leadership and organization structure.

Introduction to financial management. Topics include: financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, capital structure, valuation, risk analysis and working capital management. Prerequisites: GBUS 401 and GECO 402.

Traditional and emerging techniques of product costing; managerial accounting techniques for planning, control and decision making; manufacturing and operational performance measures; quality management; cost management by process redesign. Prerequisite: GBUS 401 or equivalent.

Planning and managing marketing activities: market analysis, buyer behavior, market segmentation, marketing research, product policy and strategy, distribution channels policy, advertising and sales-force management. Prerequisite: GECO 402 (or concurrently).

Study of the impact of information technology on business competition, organizational structure, and nature of work. Explores development and management of information systems strategy, including economics and risks associated with investments in information systems technology. Case studies and applications include operations management, financial services, and marketing and distribution

Understanding the forces or trends affecting operations management along with the tools and systems that directly support operations managers. Topical coverage includes understanding manufacturing and service excellence, sources of competitive advantage, total quality management, just-in-time manufacturing, cross functional integration, manufacturing planning activities, inventory control, forecasting, project management, new product development, process design, and competitive requirements for future success. Special emphasis placed on the linkages between operations and other functional areas. Prerequisite: GBUS 403 or equivalent.

Study of the processes used to develop strategic intent and organizational mission; environmental and competitive analysis; strategy formulation and implementation. Contemporary readings, group exercises, and case studies.

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