Maastricht University - School of Business and Economics

This course covers individual, team, and organizational perspectives on learning and, subsequently, how learning, training, and development can be managed. The emerging field of professional learning of individuals and teams in an organizational setting is introduced. The course is based on insights from cognitive and learning sciences as well as organizational studies and human resource development. It analyses learning needs within organizations and identifies key variables that play a role when employees learn in a training setting or informally. Critical factors are identified that stimulate or hinder learning in organizations. Theoretical insights are applied to the analysis of organizational cases about professional learning. Additionally, students take on the role of consultants where they interview and advise an existing organization on improving its learning and development policies. The final report contains a scientific reflection on this professional learning practice, which will also be communicated to the organization.

This course elaborates on the macroeconomic topics and theories that have been discussed in prior courses. A key concern is the coordination between the goods market, the labor market, and financial markets in a closed economy framework. Coordination failures play a central role in explaining macroeconomic fluctuations and providing roles for fiscal and monetary policy. The courses develops a new Keynesian view of macroeconomics, developing theories and models for the short- and medium-run. Using recent OECD Economic Outlooks, macroeconomic theory is applied to a wide variety of recent macroeconomic problems and policy dilemmas. The course also includes some critical reflections on the standard new Keynesian model.

The course deals with basic issues in finance, such as risk diversification and asset pricing, capital structure, investment valuation, market efficiency, dividend policy, and the use of derivatives.

Companies such as Amazon, Airbnb, and LinkedIn build and manage powerful supply networks to create value. This course provides an understanding of these networks and their relationships with customers as well as suppliers. The digitization and innovation processes that govern these relationships are also examined. Students critically evaluate cutting-edge thinking on these topics and discuss implications for supply chain management, strategy, and marketing.