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Strategy and Game Theory for Management

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Strategy and Game Theory for Management

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

291 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
3 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

291 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
3 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Your decisions will impact others and others’ decisions impact you. So, how do we anticipate other people’s decisions in our decision making?

  • It helps you understand the world around you from a fresh perspective. (Refer to the questions in the course description)

  • It helps refine your thinking on dealing with uncertainty and decision-making

  • You can develop skills like structured problem-solving and strategic thinking

Details to know

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Assessments

18 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

There are 5 modules in this course

Game theory explores the art of how people make decisions in situations where their choices affect each other. Learn core game theory frameworks through practical application-based learning to transform your and your organization’s performance. With the increasing complexity of today’s world, game theory offers valuable frameworks and tools to navigate uncertainty and establish scientific rigor for strategy. Today, game theory has applications across businesses (advertising, digital markets, mergers and acquisitions, cartels, innovation etc.) along with policy.

This course on game theory is developed based on courses being offered at IIMA for the past several years by Prof Viswanath Pingali, an award-winning faculty member at IIMA. This course emphasizes an intuitive approach to game theory rather than focusing on quantitative techniques. This course helps you acquire a competitive edge through enhanced strategic thinking, structured problem-solving, and optimal decision-making in complex situations., The course also discusses behavioral economics insights, where applicable. We try and answer a few questions (not exclusive): (1) Why do price wars happen? (2) What is the problem of commons, and what are its implications for the climate change debate? (3) How do modern businesses operate and what are some implications? (4) Why is culture at firms and economies so difficult to change? (5) What is the unicorn mania that is dominating today’s conversation? (6) Why did some companies offer much larger warranty than the market norm? (7) Why is winning risky in markets with uncertainty and how could information asymmetry lead to market failure?

This module aims to introduce you to the game theory course. It introduces you to some real-life questions that you can solve by using the concepts we will learn over the course. Following this, the course introduces you to the idea of a game and to some simple games. Subsequently, the module explores the most famous game in game theory: Prisoners’ Dilemma, where smart people find no incentive to cooperate with each other. The module further explores some real-life examples of prisoners’ dilemma. All learning components will be updated upon the official launch of the course

What's included

11 videos14 readings4 assignments

11 videosTotal 70 minutes
  • Course Introduction3 minutes
  • Some Questions in Game theory9 minutes
  • What is a Game?6 minutes
  • Examples of Simultaneous Games5 minutes
  • What is a Dominant Strategy?7 minutes
  • Prisoners' Dilemma I7 minutes
  • Prisoners' Dilemma II6 minutes
  • Applications of Prisoners' Dilemma8 minutes
  • Revisiting Dominant Strategy8 minutes
  • Iterated Elimination I6 minutes
  • Iterated Elimination II7 minutes
14 readingsTotal 130 minutes
  • Course Overview10 minutes
  • Reference Watch: Green-Eyed Logic Puzzle5 minutes
  • Essential Reading : Making Game Theory Work for Managers10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Why We Do Not Try to Walk off without Paying after a Tax-Ride?10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 1)10 minutes
  • Reference Watch: What is the Tragedy of Commons?5 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Drug Prescribing Regime in India10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Beauty: A Prisoners’ Dilemma10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Cigarette Advertising Ban10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 3)10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Median Voter Theorem10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Level K Thinking10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Travelers’ Dilemma10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Level K Thinking Experiments10 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 64 minutes
  • Graded Quiz40 minutes
  • Practice Quiz6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes

This module introduces you to the famous concept of Nash Equilibrium. What do you do when there is no Dominant Strategy or Dominated Strategies? Where do thought processes converge? This module further explores several interesting phenomena like Stag Hunt, Battle of Sexes, and Hawk Dove Games. We will explore why some inefficient outcomes happen despite all the players knowing that they are suboptimal. We will also explore questions like whether equilibrium means efficient. All learning components will be updated upon the official launch of the course

What's included

17 videos17 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

17 videosTotal 90 minutes
  • What is the Idea of Nash Equilibrium?6 minutes
  • A Simple Illustration of of Nash Equilibrium?6 minutes
  • Stag Hunt – Does Equilibrium mean Efficient Outcome?8 minutes
  • Battle of Sexes – Does Equilibrium mean Equality?5 minutes
  • Hawk-Dove – Does Equilibrium mean Playing Symmetric Strategies?5 minutes
  • Stag Hunt and Development of Economies7 minutes
  • Digital Markets - Stag Hunt and Single Homing5 minutes
  • Digital Markets - Stag Hunt and Multi Homing6 minutes
  • Digital Markets – Some Recent Issues 5 minutes
  • Competing with Rivals in Coordination Games 3 minutes
  • Inequality Inherent in Equilibrium4 minutes
  • Introduction to Mixed Strategies 4 minutes
  • Mixed Strategies: Zero Sum Games 4 minutes
  • Expected Values and Mixed Strategies5 minutes
  • Computing Mixed Strategies 6 minutes
  • Behavioral Aspects to Mixed Strategies 6 minutes
  • Action Bias and Mixed Strategies 4 minutes
17 readingsTotal 168 minutes
  • Reference Watch: Simulating the Evolution of Aggression14 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Climate Change and Nash Equilibrium10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Coordination Games10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Tower of Babel as a Coordination Game: Political Linguistics in Ghana10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Review of 'Why Nations Fail'10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Dynamics of two-sided internet markets10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Small Firms and Digital Platforms10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Are User Shares Indicative of Market Power?10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Small Businesses and Digital Platforms10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Google Antitrust Lawsuit10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 4)10 minutes
  • Reference Watch: Memorable Movie Death4 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Rock Paper Scissors Game10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Behavioral Strategies and Randomness 10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: The Case of Penalty Kicks in Soccer10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Minimax Play at Wimbledon10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 5)10 minutes
5 assignmentsTotal 67 minutes
  • Graded Quiz40 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz 6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz3 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • What is your Strategy in Rock, Paper, Scissors?10 minutes

This module introduces you to the games that are sequential in nature. That is, we look at the cases where players alternate in their moves. Further, there are cases where games repeat themselves. We will look further at when we can expect competitors to cooperate in a prisoners’ dilemma situation. We will also explore some interesting games such as the ultimatum game and the trust game. All learning components will be updated upon the official launch of the course

What's included

15 videos15 readings5 assignments

15 videosTotal 82 minutes
  • Basics of Backward Induction6 minutes
  • Analyzing Backward Induction: Centipede Game 5 minutes
  • Backward Induction: Ultimatum Game 6 minutes
  • Behavior and Ultimatum Games 5 minutes
  • Emotions and Ultimatum Games 6 minutes
  • Trust Games6 minutes
  • What Happens When there is No Intellectual Property? 5 minutes
  • Backward Induction and Innovation6 minutes
  • Arguments against Intellectual Property6 minutes
  • Rare Diseases and Backward Induction3 minutes
  • What Happens when Prisoners’ Dilemma is Repeated Finitely? 7 minutes
  • Introduction to Tit-For-Tat in Large Repetitions 5 minutes
  • Outlook of the Future and Cooperation 5 minutes
  • What does Cooperation Entail? 4 minutes
  • The Economics of Cartels8 minutes
15 readingsTotal 160 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Backward Induction10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Ultimatum Game10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 6)10 minutes
  • Reference Watch: Two Monkeys were Paid Unequally3 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Ultimatum Game10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Social Preferences and the Brain10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Why Intellectual Property is Essential for your Business10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Hypotheses on Intellectual Property and Inequality10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Understanding Evergreening of Patents in the Pharmaceutical Industry10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Balancing Affordability and Availability in a Drug Patent Regime10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Rare Diseases 10 minutes
  • Reference Game: The Evolution of Trust10 minutes
  • Reference Watch: Axelrod’s Experiments27 minutes
  • Essential Reading: The Prisoner's Dilemma10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: What Determines Cartel Success?10 minutes
5 assignmentsTotal 76 minutes
  • Graded Quiz40 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes

Often, full information is not available, especially regarding the other players. In this module, we will look at scenarios with partial information. We will explore several interesting applications of such games and look into concepts like winners’ curse and adverse selection. We will also explore the link between biology and game theory All learning components will be updated upon the official launch of the course

What's included

13 videos12 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videosTotal 84 minutes
  • Second Price Sealed Bid Auction vs First Price Sealed Bid Auction7 minutes
  • Revenue Equivalence7 minutes
  • Experimental Evidence in Auctions5 minutes
  • Some Common Auction Experiments5 minutes
  • The Idea of Winners' Curse7 minutes
  • Winners' Curse in Mergers and Acquisitions World6 minutes
  • Why do Winners' Curse Happen?6 minutes
  • Avoiding Winners' Curse5 minutes
  • Problem of Lemons and Peacock's Feathers7 minutes
  • Problem of Adverse Selection4 minutes
  • Why do People Study and Why do Peacocks have Bright Feathers8 minutes
  • Screening and Multiple Contracts6 minutes
  • Conclusion11 minutes
12 readingsTotal 120 minutes
  • Essential Reading: A Survey of Experimental Research10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Using Field Experiments to Test Equivalence Between Auction Formats10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 10)10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: Winner’s Curse10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Competitive Bidding in High-Risk Situations 10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 10)10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: African Widow Bird10 minutes
  • Essential Reading: The Handicap Principle10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: The Art of Strategy by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (Chapter 8)10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Adverse Selection10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Job Market Signaling10 minutes
  • Recommended Reading: Insurance Markets10 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 67 minutes
  • Graded Quiz40 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz9 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • Awarding Tenders10 minutes

What's included

1 peer review

1 peer reviewTotal 720 minutes
  • Peer Review Assignment720 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (174 ratings)
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
1 Course26,579 learners

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Showing 3 of 291

AB
·

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026

Absolutely loved the course! This was my first course on Game theory, and I can confidently say that I understand the fundamentals of Game Theory now!

HR
·

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2024

amazing and very useful course in growing one's career graph professionally

AG
·

Reviewed on Dec 4, 2024

Very Good course and explained in a easy to understand approach by Prof. Viswanath Pingali. Great learning experience.

Frequently asked questions

A traditional game theory course is highly mathematical. In this course, we will keep maths to the minimum (close to zero) and develop an intuitive understanding of the subject

For intuitive understanding, I highly recommend The Art of Strategy by Avinash K Dixit and Barry J Nalebuff. For the technically minded, there are several textbooks out there. Some of the leading authors include Robert Gibbos, Steven Tadalis, Martin J Osborne, etc.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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 purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.