2024
Industrial Economics
Name: Industrial Economics
Code: ECN02364L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Economy
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
Industrial Economics aims to study the structure, functioning, performance and regulation of markets, the analysis of industries and the behavior of companies in conditions of imperfect competition.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The Industrial Organization course aims to study the structure and functioning of markets and industries and the behavior of firms under conditions of imperfect competition. Emphasizes the empirical strand of analysis, moving away from the simplicity and formal rigor of microeconomic models, to gain in realism with qualitative, quantitative and institutional details which allows an in depth understanding of the firm behavior and the organization and functioning of markets.
At the end of the course students should be able to:
- Identify the basic features of market structures of imperfect competition ;
- Identify the determinants of market structures and understand its implications for the behavior of firms ;
- Use the relevant concepts and tools in the analysis of markets and industries ;
- Critically analyze the structure and functioning of markets, the behavior of firms and the role of regulators;
At the end of the course students should be able to:
- Identify the basic features of market structures of imperfect competition ;
- Identify the determinants of market structures and understand its implications for the behavior of firms ;
- Use the relevant concepts and tools in the analysis of markets and industries ;
- Critically analyze the structure and functioning of markets, the behavior of firms and the role of regulators;
Contents
1. Nature and object of Industrial Organization; Approaches to study Industrial Economics; Public policy and regulation.
2. Key questions on companies, markets and industries. Definition, objectives and classification of companies; Market definition and relevant market; Market versus industry; CAE; Structure and dynamics of the Portuguese industries.
3. Concept and benefits of competition; Market structures; Market failures and market power; Competitive forces.
4. Determinants of market structure; Market concentration; Barriers to competition; Product differentiation; Vertical integration.
5. Behavior and strategies of firms; Mergers and acquisitions, M&A and regulation; Interfirm cooperation; EU regulations on agreements between firms; Cartels and tacit collusion; R&D and innovation.
2. Key questions on companies, markets and industries. Definition, objectives and classification of companies; Market definition and relevant market; Market versus industry; CAE; Structure and dynamics of the Portuguese industries.
3. Concept and benefits of competition; Market structures; Market failures and market power; Competitive forces.
4. Determinants of market structure; Market concentration; Barriers to competition; Product differentiation; Vertical integration.
5. Behavior and strategies of firms; Mergers and acquisitions, M&A and regulation; Interfirm cooperation; EU regulations on agreements between firms; Cartels and tacit collusion; R&D and innovation.
Teaching Methods
The classroom sessions are theoretical-practical and combine the theoretical exposition of the matter with the application to concrete examples. The sessions include practical exercises and a group work, divided into 3 modules, to be accomplished throughout the semester. Teaching methods include:
- the theoretical exposition of matter in classroom assisted by PowerPoint slides;
- the use of the Internet for real-time access to relevant documents and websites;
- analysis and discussion of empirical cases from news, articles, reports and documents;
- presentation and discussion in classroom of group works done by the students;
The course assessment has three main components:
- Two practical exercises (15%);
- A written examination at the end of the semester (40%);
- A group work to be done over the semester (45%).
- the theoretical exposition of matter in classroom assisted by PowerPoint slides;
- the use of the Internet for real-time access to relevant documents and websites;
- analysis and discussion of empirical cases from news, articles, reports and documents;
- presentation and discussion in classroom of group works done by the students;
The course assessment has three main components:
- Two practical exercises (15%);
- A written examination at the end of the semester (40%);
- A group work to be done over the semester (45%).
Teaching Staff
- Adão António Nunes de Carvalho [responsible]
Certificações
