84610 - ECONOMIA E DINAMICA INDUSTRIALE

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the ability to understand theoretical models and apply them to the analysis of real situations. In particular, it focuses on the tools necessary for studying the dynamics of businesses and sectors in the new global economy. Topics covered include the birth, survival, and growth of businesses; the management of international outsourcing processes; network externalities; the functioning of network markets and public utility service markets.

Course contents

Firm formation, entry, and growth; Models of industrial dynamics; Entrepreneurship; Determinants, measurement and effects of technological innovations;  Industrial and competition policy.

Readings/Bibliography

Cabral, L., Economia Industriale (Carocci, Roma), Capitoli 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14.

Parker, S. C. (2018). The Economics of Entrepreneurship. Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition.

Klepper, S. & Simons, K. L. (2005). Industry Shakeouts and Technological Change. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 23(1-2): 23-43.

Chung, B., Franses, P. H., & Pennings, E. (2023). Conditions that make ventures thrive: from individual entrepreneur to innovation impact? Small Business Economics, forthcoming.

Anser, M. K. et al. (2022). Relationship of environment with technological innovation, carbon pricing, renewable energy, and global food production. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 31(4): 231-267.

Teaching methods

Lectures, class discussions, coursework.

Assessment methods

Students who choose to actively participate in the course will take a two-part exam, and the grade obtained in each part will contribute 50% to the final grade. The first part (coursework) involves preparing a 10-15 minute video in which the strengths and weaknesses of a research paper published in an international scientific journal are presented and discussed. Each video will be created in collaboration by at least two students. The papers will be made available to the students at the beginning of the course. The second part consists of a written final exam in which students will have to answer 5 out of 8 (both open-ended and multiple-choice) questions.

For students unable to attend the classes, the final exam will consist of 8 open-ended questions and 4 multiple-choice questions that they will have to answer.

Grading criteria:

18-23: the student has sufficient preparation and analytical skills, spread however, over just few topics taught in the course, the overall jargon is correct

24-27: the student shows and adequate preparation at a technical level with some doubts over the topics. Good, yet not to articulate analytical skills with the use of a correct jargon

28-30: Great knowledge about most of the topics taught in the course, good critical and analytical skills, good usage of the specific jargon

30L: excellent and in depth knowledge of all the topics in the course, excellent critical and analytical skills, excellent usage of specific jargon.

Teaching tools

Other teaching material, including slides used during the lectures and papers will be made available to students on a weekly basis through the 'Virtuale' platform.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Santarelli