Game Theory for Business Strategy (BUSA90491)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
April
FeesLook up fees

Managers make decisions day in, day out. These decisions affect others both within the firm, such as other divisions and subordinates, etc., as well competitors, customers, regulators, and even capital markets. Moreover, the outcome of these decisions depends on the decisions of others. Therefore, anticipating the reaction of others is essential for making the best decision and reaching a successful outcome. This course introduces basic tools to analyze such choices: concepts of individual decision-making and of strategic interaction (game theory). A combination of these tools will lead students to approach managerial problems critically and analytically. As a result, students will be able to think strategically in complex, interactive environments.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:



  • think strategically in interactive environments;
  • understand how game theory can be used to anticipate market dynamics;
  • understand the foundations of bargaining and negotiation theory;
  • understand how game theory can be used to design efficient auctions and tenders;
  • understand strategic importance of asymmetric information.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Prerequisite

Option 1

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BUSA90480 Leadership
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
BUSA90481 Managerial Ethics & Business Environment
September (On Campus - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 6.25
BUSA90060 Data Analysis
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90224 Managing People
July (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90243 Marketing
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90093 Finance
June (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90193 Managerial Economics
June (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90001 Financial Accounting
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BUSA90227 Operations
January (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90026 Business Strategy
June (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Option 2

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BUSA90482 General Management 1
September (On Campus - Parkville)
 62.5
BUSA90483 General Management 2
January (On Campus - Parkville)
 43.75

AND

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BUSA90026 Business Strategy
June (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BUSA90227 Operations
January (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Contribution to class learning

Throughout the teaching period10%

4 problem sets

Throughout the teaching period60%

End-of-semester examination

Hurdle requirement: Students are required to pass the exam to pass the subject		During the examination period30%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • April
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Pre teaching start date20 April 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsstudents are required to complete approximately 15 hours of readings to prepare for the subject during the pre-teaching period
    Teaching period27 April 2025 to 25 May 2025
    Last self-enrol date 2 February 2025
    Census date 2 May 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail16 May 2025
    Assessment period ends25 May 2025

    April contact information

    Melbourne Business School

    Degree Program Services

    Email: programservices@mbs.edu

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

This subject is only available to students admitted to MC-BA, MC-BAPT, or students with permission of the MBA course coordinator

This subject is a quota subject and places are limited. Students may provisionally enrol via the Student Portal, but places are not guaranteed until selection is completed. You will be notified in writing by the Student Centre if you are selected.

The students will be selected on the first come, first served basis. If any student is approaching the course completion date, s/he will get priority in enrolment.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Subject notes

    This subject is only available to students admitted to MC-BA, MC-BAPT, or students with permission of the MBA course coordinator

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Business Administration/Master of Marketing
    CourseMaster of Business Administration
    CourseMaster of Business Administration
  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025