Describes the development and implementation of a Buchanan-type microeconomics course for first-year students in a Master of Business Administration program. The course is based on the recommendation of economist James Buchanan that economics should once again place its teaching emphasis on the various institutional arrangements that arise as a…

Discusses economics as a mechanistic theory and the systems approach as a functionalist theory. Relevant literature is reviewed and a synthesis of the two types of theories is presented. (Author/DB)

Discusses problems of measuring student learning using the Test of Understanding in College Economics (TUCE). Suggests that replacing TUCE questions with poor statistical validity will provide a better index of cognitive achievement. Describes results of a University of Notre Dame study which altered the TUCE to reflect course content. (KC)

Evidence from a 25-year (1955-80) study of 21 small liberal arts colleges with high entrance standards suggests that presently, students are likely to be exposed to a wider range of economic subjects than those 25 years ago. Theoretical and quantitative offerings have strengthened. (Author/KC)

Comparison of a contemporary public finance textbook with one written in the 1940s indicates the following major changes in the field: microeconomic theory is now the framework for analyzing positive and normative issues; research is dominated by econometrics; and topical coverage has changed along with changes in public policy. (JOW)

Describes bargaining examples that use expected utility theory. Provides example results that are intuitive, shown graphically and algebraically, and offer upper-level student samples that illustrate the usefulness of the expected utility theory. (JEH)

Presents a simple diagrammatic exposition of a pollution-permit market in which firms that generate pollution and consumers who are harmed by pollution are allowed to purchase permits at a single market price. Illustrates that the market equilibrium is efficient only if the endowment of permits is equal to the efficient level of pollution. (JEH)

Illustrates how principles and intermediate microeconomic students can gain an understanding for strategic price setting by playing a relatively large oligopoly game. Explains that the game extends to a continuous price space and outlines appropriate applications. Offers the Mathematica code to instructors so that the assumptions of the game can…

Analyzes the role of networking in the creation of local management knowledge in the Republic of Moldova. Discusses Moldovian involvement with the International Institute of Management, including development of the country's first MBA program. (EV)

Surveys MBA programs in the Czech Republic, summarizing trends. A total of seven programs exist, three of the U.S. type, four of the British type, and one distance learning program. (EV)

Describes and contrasts nonlinear and linear pricing in consumer choice theory. Discusses the types of nonlinear pricing: block-declining tariff, two-part tariff, three-part tariff, and quality discounts or premia. States that understanding nonlinear pricing enhances student comprehension of consumer choice theory. Suggests teaching the concept in…

Presents a pedagogical graphical exposition to illustrate the stabilizing effect of price target zones. Finds that authorities' commitment to defend a price target zone affects the public's inflation expectations and, in turn, reduces actual inflation. (RLH)

Describes a game whose purpose is to help students understand the impact of various strategies of government intervention on the dynamic free-market processes stimulating economic development. (EV)

Identifies the 6 major elements of entrepreneurship, and examines the treatment of each element by 15 major introductory economics textbooks. Results indicate that entrepreneurship is not adequately covered, causing students to miss important understandings about the workings of the market economy. Recommends that teachers provide supplementary…

Identifies universities employing the top economists, ranks the top 50 economists from 1971-85, and points out the top 50 young economists. Uses the total number of citations, the rank by mean number of citations, and the mean number of citations to identifying these scholars. Includes ranked lists with the number of citations. (GG)