The subject Economics and Business Administration is part of the basic training module of the industrial branch, and is taught simultaneously to students of the three grades (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Industrial Electronic Engineering and Automation). The subject is taught in the second semester.

According to the studies of Labor Insertion, the Graduates in Engineering of the industrial branches work very largely in industrial companies as responsible for tasks related to manufacturing: planning, organization, execution and control of operations and manufacturing resources, as well as tasks related to the maintenance of equipment and facilities, quality management, purchasing, logistics, management of occupational and environmental risks.

In this way, it is important for students to be aware of the reality of companies, their environment, business functions and economic and financial aspects, especially in relation to people management.

Adequate knowledge of the business concept. Institutional and legal framework of the company. Business economics. Organization and management of companies.

Learning objectives:
1. Understand the basic concepts of economic theory and the influence of the socio economic environment on business activities.
2. Analyze the concept of business, describing its objectives, importance, characteristics, modalities and its evolution over time.
3. Obtain and interpret those relevant data that allow the resolution of problems and their subsequent analysis, through the application of the principles of general accounting and internal accounting, for the subsequent development of an adequate management and control of a business organization.
4. Evaluate and prioritize between different investment projects.
5. Be able to participate in multidisciplinary teams in companies.
6. Understand, expose and transmit personally elaborated information, clearly and correctly, both in written and verbal form, opinions and specific topics related to the economy, through the understanding and interpretation of articles appearing in specialized journals, general press and other sources of information.

Learning outcomes:
1. Know the macroeconomic objectives, the variables with which they are measured and the existing relations between  them.
2. Know the legal institutional framework of the company, discriminating between the different forms of mercantile companies.
3. Know the financing needs of the company.
4. Know how to prepare and interpret the company's annual accounts.
5. Know how to prepare reports based on the company's economic-financial information.
6. Know how to use the concepts of profitability and leverage.
7. Know how to evaluate and prioritize between different investment projects.
8. Manage teamwork problems and get the right results.
9. Be able to communicate in public the progress of the work.

CONTENIDOS TEÓRICO-PRÁCTICOS 

Lesson 1. Economic basics
Lesson 2. Introduction to business economics
Lesson 3. Commercial function
Lesson 4: Enterprise Finance
Lesson 5: Investment analysis

TEACHING METHODS

There will be face-to-face lessons to expose the conceptual contents of the subject. In addition, exercises and analysis of
practical cases will be carried out in the practical lessons with the aim of achieving a better internalization of the subject.

TYPES OF TEACHING 

Legend: M: Lecture-based S: Seminar GL: Applied laboratory-based groups GO: Applied computer-based groups TA: Workshop TI: Industrial workshop GA: Applied classroom-based groups GCL: Applied clinical-based groups GCA: Applied fieldwork groups 

Evaluation methods

• Continuous evaluation
• End-of-course evaluation

Evaluation tools and percentages of final mark

• Written test, open questions 40%
• Multiple choice test 30%
• Exercises, cases or problem sets 30%

ORDINARY EXAMINATION PERIOD: GUIDELINES AND OPTING OUT

The evaluation shall be of a mixed type: Individual tasks, teamwork and exposure of them: 30 % (must do and submit all work)
Final exam: 70% (a minimum score of 5 out of 10 must be obtained). In general, and unless otherwise indicated, the use of books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or any other type of devices shall be prohibited during the performance of the assessment tests.

EXTRAORDINARY EXAMINATION PERIOD: GUIDELINES AND OPTING OUT

The extraordinary exam procedure shall be the same as the ordinary examination.

MANDATORY MATERIALS

Material published in moodle.
Economic and general press.
George J, Jones G. Contemporary Management: creating values in organizations. Mc Graw Hill, 2006, 4ª ed
P Samuelson. Economía. McGraw-hill, 2006, 18 ed.

BIBLIOGRAFIA

Basic bibliography

J. A. Brickley, C.W. Smith. Disigning organizations, to create value: from strategy to structure. McGraw Hill, 2005.
A. Cuervo, C. Vázquez. Introducción a la Administración de Empresas. Civitas, 2008, 8.ª edición.
D. A. Garvin. General Management. Mc Graw Hill, 2002.
L. Gómez Mejía, D. Balkin, R. Cardy. Management: people, performance, change. Mc graw Hill-irwin, 2008.
Hitt, Ireland, Hoskinsson.- Strategic Management. Thomson, 2005, 6ª ed.
M. Iborra, A. Dasi, C. Dolz, C. Ferrer. Fundamentos de Dirección de Empresas: conceptos y habilidades. Pirámide, 2006.

Detailed bibliography 

L.C. Megginson, M.J. Byrd, W.L. Megginson. Small Business Management: an entrepreneur's guidebook. McGraw Hil 2006, 5ª ed.
Jose Emilio Navas López, Luis Angel Guerras Martin. La dirección estratégica de la empresa. Civitas, 1996
Jose Emilio Navas López, Luis Angel Guerras Martín. Casos de dirección estratégica de la empresa. Civitas, 2000.
Innobasque. Área de transformación empresarial. Estudio de casos de empresas de gestión avanzada.
www.casosinnobasque.com

Journals 

European Management Journal
Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review
Harvard Business Review
Strategic Management Journal
MIT Sloan Management Journal
Business Research Quarterl (anterioremente Cuadernos de Economía y Dirección de Empresas)

Web sites of interest 

www.acede.org (asociación científica de economía y dirección de empresas)
www.aeca.es (asociación española de contabilidad y administración de empresas)
www.casosinnobasque.com (Innobasque. Área de transformación empresarial. Estudio de casos de empresas de gestión
avanzada).
www.directivoscede.com (conferederación española de directivos y ejecutivos)