Corporate Development & Market Structures

Advanced Seminar in Business Strategy and Economics

Brandenburg University of Technology Module 11972 • Every Semester • 6 Credits Advanced Seminar

Seminar Overview

Students develop the ability to work independently and scientifically within a team framework to solve current research problems within a given timeframe. They are able to grasp topics, set priorities, present them in a logically structured way and enrich them with their own findings. At the end of the seminar, students present and discuss their results in a presentation event.

Research Focus & Content

The topics relate to current research questions of the chair. Do people have a subconscious "friend-or-foe" mechanism? What influence does physical attractiveness have on the negotiation process? Students deal with these and other questions as part of the seminar on corporate development and market structures.

Within a given time frame, students develop a research question, which they answer independently through scientific and structured work. The broad thematic framework "Corporate Development and Market Structures" remains, with students receiving specific thematic impulses from semester to semester for their research question development.

Research Areas

Human-Machine Interaction

  • Technology Integration
  • Automation Impact
  • Digital Transformation
  • User Experience Design

Diversity Management

  • Inclusion Strategies
  • Cultural Differences
  • Team Composition
  • Performance Impact

Corporate Cooperation

  • Strategic Alliances
  • Inter-firm Networks
  • Partnership Management
  • Collaboration Mechanisms

Behavioral Factors

  • Friend-or-Foe Mechanisms
  • Physical Attractiveness in Negotiations
  • Unconscious Biases
  • Decision-Making Psychology

Market Structure Analysis

  • Competition Dynamics
  • Market Power
  • Industry Evolution
  • Regulatory Impact

Corporate Development

  • Growth Strategies
  • Organizational Change
  • Innovation Management
  • Strategic Planning

Course Structure

Seminar Sessions

2 hours per week of interactive seminars focusing on current research problems and methodologies.

Team-Based Research

Students work in teams to develop and investigate research questions related to corporate development.

Independent Study

150 hours of self-study including literature research, data analysis, and paper preparation.

Presentation Skills

Students present their research findings and engage in scholarly discussions with peers and faculty.

Contemporary Relevance

The seminar connects historical economic thought to modern challenges:

  • Financial Crises: How different schools explain and propose solutions to economic crises
  • Digital Economy: Applying traditional economic theories to technology-driven markets
  • Behavioral Insights: Integration of psychology and economics in policy design
  • Globalization: Different perspectives on international trade and economic integration
  • Environmental Economics: How various schools address sustainability and resource allocation

Seminar Topics by Session

Sessions 1-2: Classical Foundations

Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and the birth of modern economics

Sessions 3-4: Marxian Economics

Historical materialism, labor theory of value, and critique of capitalism

Sessions 5-6: Neoclassical Synthesis

Marshall, Walras, and the mathematical formalization of economics

Sessions 7-8: Keynesian Revolution

Macroeconomic theory and the role of government in economic stability

Sessions 9-10: Monetarism and Chicago School

Milton Friedman, rational expectations, and free market advocacy

Sessions 11-12: Alternative Perspectives

Post-Keynesian, Austrian, and heterodox approaches

Sessions 13-14: Modern Developments

Behavioral economics, complexity theory, and digital age economics

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment (MCA)

  • Seminar Paper (50%): 12-page research paper on chosen topic
  • Presentation (50%): 15-minute presentation of seminar paper findings

Prerequisites: Attendance of at least one module from the chair's offering. Ability to read and understand English literature.

Note: Separate registration in Moodle learning portal required.

Course Materials

Primary Resources:

  • Seminar accompanying script
  • Guide to creating a scientific work (available on chair homepage)
  • Additional literature on seminar topics based on own research

Study Programs:

  • B.Sc. Business Administration (university profile)
  • B.Sc. Business Informatics (university profile)
  • B.Sc. Business Engineering (various profiles)
  • Separate Moodle registration required

Student Outcomes

Upon completion, students demonstrate:

  • Comprehensive understanding of major economic schools of thought
  • Ability to critically evaluate competing economic theories
  • Skills in applying historical economic insights to contemporary issues
  • Enhanced analytical and debate skills
  • Preparation for advanced economic research and policy analysis

Seminar Inquiry

Interested in learning more about economic thought or seminar participation?

Contact for Details