85071 - Economics Of Competition

Learning outcomes

The course provides an introduction to the economics of antitrust. With the use of basic tools of industrial organization, we will analyze the main aspects of competition policy, such as collusive agreements, mergers, vertical restraints and abuse of dominance. These issues will be discussed also with reference to recent antitrust cases. Students will actively participate by studying and discussing case studies. At the end of the course, students will be able to critically interpret the main policy issues in the field of antitrust

Course contents

The course “Economics of Competition” will not be offered in the academic year 2026/2027. It has been replaced by “Impact Evaluation of Public Policies”.

However, due to technical issues, the Course Structure Diagram still displays the label “Economics of Competition”. Please note that this label actually refers to a new course named “Impact Evaluation of Public Policies”. The learning outcomes of the new course are as follows:

The course introduces the main ex post quantitative methods used to assess the causal effects of public policies using observational data. Topics covered include Instrumental Variables, Regression Discontinuity Design, Difference-in-Differences, the Synthetic Control Method, and Matching techniques. By the end of the course, students will be able to answer the question “What works?” in public policy by identifying and evaluating both the intended and unintended effects of policy interventions, with a particular emphasis on microeconomic applications. Students will also develop the ability to translate empirical evidence into policy recommendations for governments, private firms, NGOs, and international organizations, thereby contributing to more effective evidence-based policymaking.

The new course builds on “Quantitative Economics and Public Policy” and “Data Analysis” by applying quantitative methods to real-world public policy cases. It is strongly recommended for students who are interested in strengthening their skills in applied economics.

Course contents are: Regression review, the problem of causality, causality in a regression framework, quasi-randomization with observational data, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity design, panel data, difference-in-differences, synthetic control method, matching, combining methods.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and papers at the Virtuale online platform

S. Cunningham, Causal Inference: The Mixtape

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, paper presentations, Stata programming

Assessment methods

Written exam. The maximum possible score is 30 cum laude. The grade is graduated as follows:

<18 failed

18-23 sufficient

24-27 good

28-30 very good

30 cum laude excellent

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Guglielmo Barone