Game Theory for Business Research: Channels and Contracts

Strategic decision-making in business management requires more than intuition; it demands a rigorous framework for understanding how different players interact. This course introduces you to the power of game theory as a primary tool for conducting high-level business research and analyzing complex organizational behavior. You will learn how to transition from observing business outcomes to modeling the strategic incentives that drive them. By the end of this course, you will be able to construct theoretical models that explain multi-decision-maker environments and provide actionable insights into management challenges. You will gain the skills to evaluate how various players—from manufacturers to platform users—make choices that impact the entire ecosystem. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational game theory concepts such as Nash Equilibrium and sequential decision-making. - Analyze incentive structures to identify why business partners cooperate or compete. - Model distribution channel selection to optimize supply chain relationships. - Design business contracts using principal-agent frameworks to align interests. - Evaluate strategic interactions within the modern platform and sharing economy. - Practice translating real-world business problems into structured theoretical models. - Apply modern concepts of incentive alignment to contemporary digital marketplaces. The course begins with essential terminology and the core principles of strategic modeling. You will then progress through written explanations of channel coordination, contract theory, and the unique dynamics of platform-based businesses. This course is designed for beginners interested in business research, graduate students, or analysts looking to deepen their theoretical toolkit. No prior experience with game theory is required. Start building your foundation in strategic business modeling today.