31786 - Competition Economics and Policy

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide students with a general knowledge of modern industrial organization based on strategic interaction among firms and consumers. The course will mainly focus on industrial policies and on the principles of competition policy.

Course contents

Before the beginning of this course, you are supposed to know these concepts of  oligopoly theory:

- static games and Cournot competition (PRNC Ch. 8)

- static games and price competition (PRNC Ch. 9)

- sequential games and price/quantity competition (PRNC Ch. 10)

 

Course contents

PART 1: Introduction

- Introduction: history and purposes of antitrust policies (MOPO Ch. 1)

-Corporate governance and theory of the firm (specific reading)

- Market Power, Competition, and Welfare (MOPO Ch. 2)

PART 2: Competition Policy

- Market Power and Market Definition (MOPO Ch. 3)

- Cartels and Tacit Collusion (MOPO Ch. 4)

- Horizontal Mergers (MOPO Ch. 5)

- Vertical Restraints (MOPO Ch. 6)

- Monopolization Practices (MOPO Ch. 7)

Readings/Bibliography

M. Motta and M. Polo, "Antitrust: Economia e Politica della Concorrenza", Il Mulino, 2005 (MOPO)

Suggested readings:

Pepall, Richards, Norman and Calzolari, "Organizzazione Industriale", 2013, McGraw-Hill Editore, Ch. 2, 8, 9 and 10 (PRNC)

If needed, references to additional teaching material (articles, reports, slides, etc.) will be provided in class.

Teaching methods

The lessons will be offered in class unless the University of Bologna will decide otherwise.

Assessment methods

The exams will be offered in presence, unless the University of Bologna will decide otherwise. To pass this class students will need both to deliver an in-class presentation (max 10 points) and to take a written exam (max 22 points).

Written exam (60 minutes). The exam will include 2 to 3 open questions.

 The grade will go from 30 to 18, depending on the level of understanding of the relevant material, and the quality of the writing output. The student has the right to refuse the passing grade obtained only once.

30L-27

-Outstanding grasp of the course material.

-Excellent writing output

26-23

-Substantial understanding of the course material.

-Good writing output

25-22

-Decent understanding of the course material.

-Decent writing output

21-18

-Sufficient understanding of the course material.

-Sufficient writing output.

Negative assessment

-Scarce understanding of the course material.

-Scarce writing output.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations and blackboard

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Ecchia