In this course, we will begin covering the theory of the firm. Economists call this "The Economics of the Lemonade Stand." And that title makes perfect sense, since the concepts we cover can be used by anyone, from someone owning a lemonade stand, to a car manufacturing company, to a hair salon, to a burrito stand, etc. We will continue our discussion of the firm by focusing on those firms working in a perfectly competitive (or competitive) environment.
![University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/http://coursera-university-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/d8/42cdc0ab2011e8b910bdf80bed9f6c/CenterILblock-ISQUAREOrangeBackgrnd.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=28&h=28)
![University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/http://coursera-university-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/1d/7a53408c1411e7983a499797d625fe/200x48-illinois.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&h=45)
The Theory of the Firm
This course is part of Microeconomics Principles Specialization
Taught in English
![Dr. José J. Vázquez-Cognet](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera-instructor-photos.s3.amazonaws.com/a1/673acd4f6a4424b66d0d48e08a75aa/P13.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=75&h=75&fit=crop)
Instructor: Dr. José J. Vázquez-Cognet
Included with
Course
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Learn to apply marginal returns to inputs, key firm costs, and cost changes over time.
Understand perfect competition, profit maximization, and profit-maximizing output.
Learn about market structures and distinguish marginal revenue in different firms for profitability assessment.
Explore welfare effects of market power, types of price discrimination, and its societal impact.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/31ebcba3851b87d1d8609abf15d0ff7e.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=24&h=24)
Add to your LinkedIn profile
July 2024
3 quizzes
Course
Recommended experience
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/74c8747e8210831049cf88dd4eefe26c.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=320)
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/a7c5400e51272c78b710ce9b56fd3178.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=562)
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/de1a6556fbe605411e8c1c2ca4ba45f1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=259)
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/de1a6556fbe605411e8c1c2ca4ba45f1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=333)
There are 3 modules in this course
Welcome! This course we will begin covering the theory of the firm. Economists call this section, "The Economics of the Lemonade Stand." And that title makes perfect sense, since the concepts we cover can be used by anyone, from someone owning a lemonade stand, to a car manufacturing company, to a hair salon, to a burrito stand, etc.
What's included
9 videos1 reading1 quiz1 discussion prompt
Welcome! This module we continue our discussion of the firm by focusing on those firms working in a perfectly competitive (or competitive) environment.
What's included
10 videos1 reading1 quiz1 discussion prompt
So, why is it that when you fly the person sitting next to you in the plane probably paid a different price for the ticket than what you paid for it? And why does Starbucks charge so much for its coffee even though you can buy coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts for almost half of that price? This module we are finishing our discussion of the firm by focusing on cases that should be more familiar to you than the perfect competition examples we have been using.
What's included
10 videos1 reading1 quiz1 discussion prompt
Instructor
![Dr. José J. Vázquez-Cognet](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera-instructor-photos.s3.amazonaws.com/a1/673acd4f6a4424b66d0d48e08a75aa/P13.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=75&h=75&fit=crop)
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Economics
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Google Cloud
Why people choose Coursera for their career
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Felipe_Moitta.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Jennifer_John.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Larry_Tao_Wang_1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/growth_testimonials/passionate_learner/Chaitanya_Anand.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=64&h=64&fit=crop)
![Placeholder](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://coursera_assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/7a1c0e2e779c1ff27cae62480adfe003.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&blur=200&px=8&max-w=120)
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.