About Macro Updates

Each fall semester in the McCombs MBA program, six weeks of the Managerial Economics course is devoted to macroeconomics. During this six week period we discuss everything from household spending to open market operations, from Mercantilism of the 15th century to the New Economy of today. There is a lot to talk about in six weeks. 

Through it all I try to emphasize how macroeconomic concepts apply to managerial decision-making. Macro and global economic issues are everywhere, in the business press, in strategic decision-making, and in long and short term investment decisions, just to name a few. Knowing economic theory without knowing how it applies to business decisions is of little use to managers. The application of the theory is what, to me, is most important. That is what I try to do in the course.

What I hope to do with the Macroeconomic Updates is to continue the intellectual dialogue that we began in the Macroeconomics component of the Managerial Economics course. Every other week or so, I will offer up things that appeared in the business and financial press that deal with macroeconomic issues. Sometimes I will offer my own “two cents” on what is happening. Keep in mind, a lot of these issues do not have simple solutions. But that is what makes macroeconomics so interesting. As I always say: I don’t have the answers, I’m just asking the questions!

Hopefully you will find these Macroeconomic Updates useful. If you are a current student, hopefully the Updates will be useful in class discussions through the rest of the program. If you are alumni, I hope these Updates will give you a better understanding of some of the issues you are facing. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you on these or related issues.

Regards,

Mike Brandl