Module BUSI4G215: Decision Making and Business Option Modelling

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4G215: Decision Making and Business Option Modelling

Tied To

• N2P109: Management
• N2P309: Management (Entrepreneurship)
• N2P909: Management (Supply Chain Logistics)
• N2R201: Management (with Integrated Studies)
• N5R201: Marketing (with Integrated Studies)

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To promote a critical awareness and understanding of flexible strategic decision making under uncertainty by introducing a wide range of relevant concepts and theories, from finance, management, strategy, innovation/entrepreneurship and real options valuation, and specialised tools for business modelling, with an emphasis on the application of decision-making techniques.

Content

• Real options and decision making under uncertainty
• Valuing projects and companies using standard Net Present Value (NPV)
• Valuing common real options and valuation principles
• Valuing complex projects with embedded options using binomial trees in Excel
• Problem structuring and business option modelling
• Using analytic models to value options to acquire (call) and switch resources
• Resource redeployment and MNC's option network of multinational operations
• Valuing options using binomial trees with two correlated assets
• Valuing growth companies and intangible assets as options (e.g., patents, brand)
• Competition and strategy integrating options and game theory.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will be able to:
• Have a critical appreciation and understanding of the complexities, challenges and uncertainties of decision making, business modelling, and how to structure complex business decision problems under uncertainty
• Have an advanced yet practical understanding of the scope and application of modern specialised techniques for project and growth company valuation.

• Be able to understand the complexities and uncertainties of decision-making
• Understand key principles, valuation methods, and tools underpinning optional decision making under uncertainty and competition
• Evaluate complex investment projects and company situations and appreciate the scope and means of taking decisions under uncertainty
• Apply problem-solving and analytical skills to finance, management, strategy, and innovation issues in an uncertain business context
• Apply business option modelling concepts and tools, including Excel binomial trees
• Work in small groups to apply the theories via the analysis of real project and company cases.

• Planning, organising and time management; analysis of complex problems; problem solving and analysis.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, seminars, case studies and practical work, supported by guided reading. The summative assessment will consist of a comprehensive final exam with a 100% weighting designed to test students' knowledge of key concepts and tools and their ability to apply those in a business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Encourage students to work in small groups to analyse and discuss real company case applications. Exercise questions prepared in advance or in-class problem-solving (quantitative).