University of Alberta School of Business
Department of Marketing, Business Economics and Law Business Economics 479 – Government and Business in Canada
Section B1, Winter Term 2006
Instructor: Ginny Holtby, B.A. M.B.A. e-mail: [email protected] Class Location: Business 1-9 Office: Sessional Office, HUB Class Times: 3:00 – 3:50 pm Office Hours: by appointment Class Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Class Duration: Monday, January 9 – Wednesday, April 12 Final Exam: 2:00 pm, Monday April 24
Textbook: Brander, James. Government Policy toward Business, 4th edition, 2005
Readings: Bliss, M., “Forcing the Pace: A Reappraisal of Business- Government Relations in Canadian History”; Downs, A. “An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy”. Excerpts from additional readings may be required. Advance notice will be provided in class and on the course section website and students will be advised where to obtain the readings.
Course Overview: The role of business in the public policy process: how business organizations influence public policy and its administration, and how public policies affect business. Processes of change are of particular interest. Attention is paid to the motivation, behavior patterns, and the dynamics of the interaction of different stakeholder groups, policy makers, and managers responsible for the implementation of public policies. Develops a framework for analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of different fiscal, regulatory, and promotional policies; consideration is given to the impact of technological, economic, and social change on policy choice in the long term. Competition policy, theory of price and entry regulation, and private sector regulation are emphasized.
Method of Evaluation:
Midterm Test 1 20 points
Midterm Test 2 20 points
In-class case study 1 10 points In-class case study 2 10 points
Final Exam 40 points
Marks will be assigned based on a relative ranking at the end of the term of the sum of the scores in all tests, exams, and case studies.
Notes:
Testable Material
Exams are based largely on the material covered in class. The material in the textbook is testable but is augmented by the material covered in lectures, specifically PowerPoint presentations and in-class discussion. As a result, attendance is expected. Exams will test your factual knowledge and ability to apply the concepts, especially in terms of analyzing and synthesizing issues.
Office hours: “By appointment” sounds so formal. My intention is to be available to students but specific times are often inconvenient for both of us. E-mail me to arrange an appointment or talk to me after class to agree upon date and time.
Absences from Examinations:
Absences from exams and in-class case study can be excused ONLY on the basis of illness accompanied by a Medical Statement or, a family emergency/distress.
Your treating physician should complete the Medical Statement form. The Medical Statement form can be downloaded from the following website:http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/files/Medical.pdf
• For a midterm exam your medical statement form should be presented to me as soon as possible (generally within two working days) following the missed exam. For final exams your medical statement form should be presented to the Undergraduate Office (generally within two working days following the missed exam.)
If an absence from an exam is deemed to be excusable, the student will have an opportunity to make up for lost grades by writing an academic research paper on a topic selected by the instructor. The length of this paper will be 2500 words for a missed midterm exam and 3000 words for a missed final exam. This research paper must be submitted within two weeks of the missed exam. No make-up exams will be given.
If an absence from the in-class case study is deemed to be excusable, the student will receive a date time, and place to analyze and write up a different case study
In Class Case Study:
A short case study will be analyzed and written up by students in-class on the two dates noted below.
The time allotted to complete the case study will be 30 minutes.
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behavior (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behavior that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
Business Economics 479 – Government and Business in Canada Section B1 , Winter Term
Course Schedule:
Following is a course schedule. The content and timing may vary according to issues, discussions and current events that arise. New and additional topics may come up and, while every effort will be taken to ensure that guest lectures occur, the guest lecturers are active in business or government and their schedules require flexibility. Additional materials (e.g. journal, magazine and newspaper articles) may be handed out in class or put on reserve in the library. Examinations may include material discussed in class but not necessarily included in your readings, so it is to your benefit to attend class regularly.
Date Topic EVALUATIONS/
Reading Prior to Class JAN.
9,11,13
Objectives, Overview of Course, Review of:
• Opportunity cost
• Marginalism
• Economic Incentives
• Economic efficiency – Pareto Normative analysis of Government
Brander Chapters 1, 2, 3
JAN.
16,18,20
Fairness and public policy Positive Theory of Government Firms and Markets
Brander Chapters 4, 5,6
JAN. 23, 25, 27
Canadian Bus Environment Bliss, M.,”Forcing the Pace: A Reappraisal of Business- Government Relations in Canadian History”
Brander Chapter 7
Jan. 30 In-class case study IN-CLASS CASE STUDY – 10%
Feb. 1 Canadian Bus. Environ. continued Downs, A. “An EconomicTheory of Political Action in a Democracy”
Feb. 3,6,8 Theory of International Trade Policy GATT, WTO, IMF, World Bank, NAFTA
Brander Chapters 8, 9 Feb. 10, 13 Environmental Policy and Externalities Brander Chapter 10 FEB. 15 First Mid-term Test MID-TERM TEST 1 – 20%
Feb.17 Natural Resource Management Brander Chapter 11
Feb. 20-24 Reading Week NO CLASS
Feb. 27 Competition Policy Brander Chapter 12
Mar. 1 , 3 ,6 Competition Policy, Anti-competitive Practices BRANDER CHAPTERS, 12, 13 Mar 10 Price and Entry Regulation Brander Ch. 14
Mar 8 GUEST LECTURE Tentative Date
Mar.
13,15,17
Price and Entry Reg. - Regulation of private enterprise
Brander Ch.15
Mar. 20 Mid-term Test 2 MID-TERM TEST- 20%
Mar.
22,24,27
Regulation of private enterprise (cont’d), Public Enterprise and Public Goods,
Brander Chapter 16
Mar. 29 IN-CLASS Case Study IN-CLASS CASE STUDY – 10%
April.
3,5,7,10
Advocacy, Macroeconomic Policy Brander Ch. 17
April 12 Course Review Last Day of Class
April 24 FINAL EXAM – Monday 2:00 P.M FINAL EXAM 40%