Management and Economics Department

The department of management and economics combines two disciplines. Economics concentrates on the principles governing the market mechanism and how it guides decisio making in the production and distribution of goods and services. Management involves the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling of resources to achieve an organization’s goals in an effective and efficient manner. It is an appropriate area of study for students interested in nonprofit organizations, as well as business firms. Management emphasizes the application of economic principles, along with those from other fields, such as sociology, political science, psychology, and mathematics, to business, government, and other organizations. Although the orientation of the two disciplines differs somewhat, they share a substantial core of common subject matter and analytical methodology.

Double Majors and Minors

A student may major in Management or International Management, but not both. It is possible to have double majors and minors in management and economics; however, the elective courses used to fulfill either the management or the economics major requirements may not also be used as part of a minor or double major in the other field. Additional Management and Economics electives will be required.

Departmental Honors

Students who have a GPA of at least 3.25 in their major courses are urged to complete a substantial research project to qualify for honors in management and economics at graduation.

Faculty

Hossein Akhavi-Pour, professor. BA 1969, Tehran University; MA 1975, PhD 1980, Kansas State University. Work experience: government, consulting and research associate. Research interests: regional economics, international trade and finance, Third World economies.

Fahima Aziz, associate professor, chair. BA 1979, Mount Holyoke College; MS 1984, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; PhD 1994, University of Minnesota. Research interests: labor economics, development economics, poverty and income inequality, and microcredit institutions.

Mary L. Bochnak, professor. BS 1972, MBA 1976, PhD 1982, University of Minnesota. Work experience: business, government and nonprofit organizations, and private consulting. Research interests: nonprofit organizations, financial and accounting models, real estate.

Elizabeth W. Gunderson, professor. BAS 1976, University of Minnesota; MBA 1981, University of St. Thomas; PhD 1991, The Union Institute. Work experience: nonprofit organizations and private consulting. Research interests: forensic economics, security analysis.

Paul F. Jessup, William Kahlert Professor of Economics. BS 1960, PhD 1966, Northwestern University; AM 1963, Harvard University; BA 1963, MA 1983, University of Oxford. Work experience: banking, investment advising, government service, and director of corporations and nonprofit organizations. Research interests: financial analysis, financial markets, strategic management.

Rita Johnson, assistant professor. BS 1967, College of St. Catherine; MA 1988, Metropolitan State University. Work experience: corrections, business, and education. Research interests: leadership and human resource management.

Jennifer W. Keil, associate professor. BBA 1986, University of Michigan; MBA 1992, PhD 1999, University of Kansas. Work experience: securities industry. Research interests: compensation, gender pay differential, work-and-family issues.

Margaret L.H. Sheng, assistant professor. BS 1986, Catholic Providence University; MA 1996, University of Minnesota; PhD 2001, University of Minnesota. Work Experience: international marketing, international trade. Research Interests: international marketing, electronic commerce, high-tech marketing.