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Content


The module "Firms and Markets" is aimed at all first-year students in the economics bachelor programs at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. It is one of the first courses that new students attend as part of their first study phase - the orientation phase - and has an introductory function in many respects.



Initially, students are introduced to the basic contents of various business administration (BWL) and economics (VWL) topics through lectures. These contents form the basis for the exam and the business simulation. In addition, the lectures provide an opportunity to get to know various professors of the faculty early on and gain a first impression.



Following the theoretical lecture part, a computer-based business simulation (TOPSIM - Business Management) offers practical in-depth knowledge of business and economic interrelationships. In groups, students manage a virtual company over six periods (= six weeks) and gain insight into the processes of entrepreneurial activity. The aim is to provide an early basic understanding of BWL and VWL interrelationships and create a high recognition value for the further bachelor's degree.



Since participants compete in groups in the business simulation, they also have the opportunity to gain experience in teamwork at this early stage.



During the business simulation, students are supported by extensive tutorials. In these, they can ask group-specific questions about the simulation process, the underlying content, or the situation of their own virtual company. At the end of the semester, a final report is required, in which students learn the basic formalities of a scientific paper.



In addition, there are large-scale exercises during the semester where cross-group and market-wide simulation and report contents are discussed.

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Learning targets


Students should

• be able to describe and explain basic business administration interrelationships,


• be able to analyze typical questions within central business administration functional areas,


• be able to explain basic economic interrelationships and their relevance for entrepreneurial decision-making processes,


• work on and reflect on classic business administration objectives based on specific decision requirements in a simulated example company, and assess macroeconomic influencing parameters within an integrative consideration,


• understand the basic economic interrelationships and transfer this knowledge to new (simulation) situations,


• be able to make decisions on typical problems in business practice in group work using acquired communication and organizational skills, and justify them argumentatively.

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Organizational

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Schedule