ECO 201 Project Guidelines and Rubric

Competencies

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies: I’m really looking forward to seeing how you apply these skills in a real-world context.

• Inform business decisions using microeconomic models and theories
• Determine the impact of economic costs on organizational and individual decision-making
• Explain how market structure impacts a business’s entry and exit into a market and its ability to generate economic profit

Overview

For your project, you will research and examine a U.S.-owned, publicly traded company of your choosing. Choosing something you’re passionate about can make the whole process more enjoyable and insightful. Make sure that you select a company with easily accessible sources of financial data. It is recommended that you either select a company with a narrow product or service or limit your analysis to one area of the firm. Feel free to reach out if you need help brainstorming ideas for your selection.

For example, you may consider:

• Netflix
• Tesla
• Under Armour
• JetBlue Airlines
• Ford
• Lululemon
• Texas Roadhouse
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Kroger (grocery stores)

If you choose your own company not on the list above, email your instructor to secure approval.

Directions

Create a report analyzing the microeconomic factors of your selected company. I know putting together a report like this can feel daunting at first, but breaking it down step by step will help. Your economic analysis report should be formatted using the template provided in the What to Submit section below.

You are expected to reference any source material used in your report with appropriate citations. We’ve got your back with resources to make this smoother for you. You can also use your textbook to support your claims. To support you, a References page has been added to the project template with a citation for this course’s textbook already provided. Any other references you add should be cited according to APA format. Remember, citing properly not only builds credibility but also shows your thoughtful engagement with the material.

Specific Sections for Your Report

1. Introduction

   Provide a brief description of your selected firm, including what products or services they provide and why you chose this company. Sharing your personal connection to the company can add a nice touch to your introduction. Remember that if you choose a company not included in the list above, you need to secure approval from your instructor first.

2. Comparative Advantage and Specialization

   Identify the advantages of specialization for your firm. Provide specific examples of your company’s trading partners to illustrate. You can also include additional evidence from your textbook, such as graphs illustrating the benefits of specialization. Visuals like those graphs can really clarify complex ideas for your readers.

3. Price Elasticity

4. Government Policies and Price Equilibrium

5. Costs of Production and Decision Making

6. Market Structures

   1. Which markets have barriers to entry and exit?
   2. How are the market types profitable in the short and long run? Exploring these questions deeply will strengthen your overall analysis.
   3. How is the profit-maximizing quantity determined in each market type?
   4. How is the price determined in each market type? Are the firms price takers or price makers?

7. Microeconomics Principles and Business Decisions

   Conclude by describing the relevance and significance of microeconomics principles. Explain how microeconomic trends could impact the company’s future business decisions. Defend your claims with specific evidence. Wrapping up with forward-looking insights can leave a lasting impression on what you’ve learned.

References

• Wei, Y.-M. (2025). A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework for the strategic evaluation of business development models. Information, 16(6), 454. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16060454
• Vatankhah, S., Bamshad, V., Altinay, L., & De Vita, G. (2023). Understanding business model development through the lens of complexity theory: Enablers and barriers. Journal of Business Research, 152, 113350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113350
• Chkir, I., Rahimzadeh, A., & Sassi, S. (2025). Unraveling the impact of product market competition and earnings volatility on zero-leverage policies. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(2), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18020073
• Gronum, S., Verreynne, M.-L., Kastelle, T., & Steffens, P. (2024). Business model redesign through effectual action in times of crisis. Journal of Small Business Management, 62(5), 1106-1142. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2024.2370512
• Belitski, M., Guenther, C., Kritikos, A. S., & Thurik, R. (2022). Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurship and small businesses. Small Business Economics, 58(2), 593-609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00544-y