Production Management
An introduction to business administration practices aimed at increasing productivity. Management processes in relation to operations research, demand estimates and production planning, stock control, quality control, and materials management.
Faculty of Economic at The University of Tokyo
4152: Economic Statistics
Winter Utsunomiya
This course lectures theory, practice and usage of economic statistics like the SNA and price indices in relation to Japanese macroeconomy.
1 Issues on economic statistics
2 SNA and related statistics
3 Business cycle and statistics
4 Price index theory
5 Monetary statistics
ICS , Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy
[Term 4] Brand Management (S. Akutsu) (2009/Term 3&4 (Spring&Summer))
This is an advanced marketing elective course that focuses on the development and implementation of brand management. Managers in charge of a brand(s) face many challenges, such as (1) developing brand strategies that synthesize internal resources and competitive strategy, (2) clarifying brand philosophies, (3) generating and motivating brand identities, (4) understanding the brand images of key customers in depth, (5) communicating brand identities effectively with customers, (6) designing a comprehensive brand architecture, (7) developing and implementing brand building programs, (8) evaluating brand’s value conceptually and quantitatively, and (9) managing brands over time and across cultures.
The goal of this course is to provide students with concepts, theories, models, and methods that will help resolve these challenges. It is complementary to the database-marketing elective as it places more emphasis on concepts and theories, while the database-marketing course stresses empirical methods and quantitative data analysis.
Course Structure
In the first class, the course overview is provided. Fundamental questions concerning brand are discussed such as (1) what is brand, (2) why it is important, (3) to whom it is important, (4) when it is important, (5) where it is important, how to build it, and who should be in charge. Guidelines for the group project are also provided.
Thereafter, the course is structured in three modules. The first module introduces key concepts and models of brand management. In particular, it closely examines different conceptualizations of brand equity and brand identity. Insights and implications each conceptualization conveys, as well as other related concepts, are discussed. A variety of measurement models and scales of brand equity are also introduced.
The second module covers the basic models of brand strategy and branding, as well as their relationships with organizational capabilities and market opportunities. Organizational capabilities of brand building are identified and their roles are discussed. Akutsu and Ishida’s Context Branding Model is introduced as a frame of branding that has been developed and proven in the Japanese and other overseas markets.
The third module covers brand portfolio strategy and other advanced topics of brand strategy and branding. David A. Aaker’s Brand Portfolio Model is introduced and its relation to Context Branding Model is discussed. Other topics include branding nations and branding in Asia.
Teaching Method
While this course consists primarily of case discussions, lectures, videos, and guest speaker sessions are combined to effectively teach both theory and practice. Due to the nature of this advanced elective course, students are expected to enthusiastically prepare for and participate in the class. Students have an opportunity to present the outcome of their group project in a later session.
ECON6015
Public Economics
Bergin, Jim
General Information
This course covers the positive and normative analyses of the public sector in relation to efficiency and equity. It provides a better understanding of the making of public policy under asymmetric information and limited commitment, and the role of incentives in public administration. Topics include: market failure, welfare criteria, public goods and externalities, social choice and voting, income distribution, public pricing and investment, cost-benefit analysis and project appraisal, and the regulation of public enterprises.
Environmental and Natural Resources Economics (EKU 2229)
Description
The course presents various public policies in relation to environmental problems such as acid rain, global warming, and air and water pollutions.
Topics
Cause of environmental problems, role of markets, international environmental policy, economics of pollution control, cost and benefit analysis to the environment, the economics of sustainable development and environmental policy development.
Objectives
Develop and use microeconomics principles for better understanding of current environmental problems.