Industrial economics analyses strategic choices of firms and the other economic agents such as suppliers, clients, competitors and regulators. Main aim of the course is learning to critically assess economic phenomena linked to these agents.
We will go through theoretical models of price discrimination, product differentiation, innovation, vertical and horizontal integration, comparing the results with empirical evidence and case studies.
The module starts with a revision of basic microeconomic concepts and oligopoly models. We then move on more specific topics such as firm behaviour in competitive environments such as: - foundations of microeconomics; market structure and market power; technology and cost - monopoly power: theory and evidence; price discrimination, linear and non-linear pricing; variety and quality in a monopoly - oligopoly and strategic interaction: static games and Cournot competition; price competition a' la Bertrand; sequential games, first and second mover. - anti-competitive strategies: limit pricing, entry deterrence, predatory behaviour, price fixing and repeated games, collusion (how to detect it and fight it) - contracts between firms: horizontal integration, vertical integration and price restrictions - non-price competition: advertising, market power, information and competition, R&D and patents - network ---module structure--- - Lectures on theoretical models, empirical evidence and case studies - Tutorials, to apply the theoretical concepts During the teaching semester there may be a tutoring service held by graduate students, to solve problems and support learning of exercises similar to the one on which you’ll be examined. During the academic year there will be the lecturer’s office hours. The textbook, slides and problem sets are coherent with the syllabus. Further teaching material will be available on the Moodle page of the module.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN | Note |
| C. Garavaglia | Economia industriale: Esercizi ed applicazioni (Edizione 1) | Carocci | 2011 | 88-430-3803-6 | |
| L. Pepall, D. J. Richards, G. Norman, G. Calzolari | Organizzazione industriale (Edizione 3) | Mc Graw Hill | 2017 | 8838669201 |
There will be a written exam. It will always be possible to take the exam remotely. Further details will be provided closer to the date through the module's Moodle page.
