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2017/2018  KAN-CFSMO1123U  Theory of the Firm

English Title
Theory of the Firm

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Andreas Philipp Distel - SI
Main academic disciplines
  • Organization
  • Strategy
Last updated on 06-09-2017

Relevant links

Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: Students will learn a number of important concepts and basic tools, rooted in modern microeconomics and organizational theory that complement other courses at the FSM Program. 2) Students will acquire tools that can be used to assess, for example, whether an input should be produced internally (in-house) or purchased from the market (buy); how strong incentives should be inside firms; how organizational structures and systems interact and impact organizational performance; how knowledge can be effectively governed within and between firms; etc.
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of two parts:
Theory of the Firm:
Sub exam weight50%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 5 pages
Assignment typeEssay
Duration2 weeks to prepare
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodAutumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
Theory of the Firm:
Sub exam weight50%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 5 pages
Assignment typeEssay
Duration2 weeks to prepare
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodAutumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
Description of the exam procedure

Each essay will count for 50% of the grade.

Course content and structure

The course provides an introduction to the theory of the firm. It surveys central concepts and topics such as asymmetric information, efficiency, incentive conflicts, property rights, specific assets, organizational structures, organizational decision-making, knowledge governance etc., and shows how these explain and predict the nature and behavior of the firm. The course relates to a number of the other courses at the FSM Program, perhaps particularly Strategic Management and Corporate Governance and Finance, and provides part of the foundation for these courses (e.g., transaction cost economics and principal-agent theory are important in both).

Teaching methods
Lectures with exercises.
Feedback during the teaching period
Oral feedback on classroom case discussions.
Student workload
Lectures preparation and participation 66 hours
Exercises preparation and participation 66 hours
Exam preparation 74 hours
Last updated on 06-09-2017