02528 - Industrial Economics

Learning outcomes

Students should achieve an understanding of the most important theories concerning the organization of industries and the behavior of firms within those industries. They should be also able to apply these theories to real-world situations. The overall objective of the course is to understand how industrial economics can contribute to economic policy with respect to imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly.

Course contents

Aim of the course

The aim of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the theoretical foundations of Industrial Economics at the undergraduate level. The course covers important issues, such as monopoly, strategic interaction and oligopoly, competition, collusion, contracts, predatory pricing, R&D and patents.

Exercises and problem sets will be provided to students during the lectures.

Readings/Bibliography

Text book:

Chapters 1-14 and 18 of the text book "Organizzazione Industriale", McGraw-Hill, Lynne Pepall, Daniel J. Richards, George Norman & Giacomo Calzolari, McGraw-Hill, 4/ed.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, take-home exercises and problem sets. All the insights and solutions of the exercises solved in class are available on the following website: https://liveunibo-my.sharepoint.com/:o:/g/personal/antonio_minniti_unibo_it/Ej72FHYGKoNHtrt-WVjdEN8B48hAbZQ0j4riLJsU8btLbg?e=wKvFkI

A facsimile of the exam is available on Virtuale, Ec. Industriale.

Assessment methods

 

The learning test includes two parts: written exam and oral presentation of antitrust cases and applications to Industrial Economics topics (group work).

The written exam aims to verify the theoretical knowledge acquired. It lasts 1 hour and is a closed book exam. It is divided into two parts:

• 10 multiple choice questions (both theoretical and numerical): 4 answer options (one of which is true) for a total of 20 points.
  
• Exercise with 4 or 5 questions, both thoeretical and numerical: 11 points.

The maximum score obtainable by providing all the correct answers 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

Teaching tools

Frontal (or online) lectures with the support of interactive slides.

Links to further information

https://sites.google.com/site/minnitianto77/teaching/economia-industriale

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Minniti