Industrial Economics

Code: ECN08404M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Economy

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

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

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Indústria, inovação e infraestruturas - Construir infraestrutura resiliente, promover a industrialização inclusiva e sustentável, e fomentar a inovação.

Learning Goals

The Industrial Economics 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 that allow us to understand in depth the behavior of firms and the organization and functioning of markets.
Expected learning outcomes and competences to be acquired:
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 major 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 the State.

Nature and object of Industrial Economics; Approaches to study Industrial Economics; Role of the State.
Concept and benefits of competition; Market Structures; Market failures and market power; Competitive forces.
Companies, markets and industries: key issues; Classification of companies; Market definition and relevant market; Market versus industry; CAE and industrial structure.
Determinants of market structure; Market concentration; Barriers to competition; Product differentiation.
Behavior and strategies of firms; Mergers and acquisitions, M&A and regulation; Interfirm cooperation.

Teaching Methods

E-learning course:

Teaching method. The teaching method is a non-presential (e-learning) and it is mediated by computer and communication means, using the e-learning platform of the University of Evora for the interaction between teacher and students. The learning activities include:
- reading of relevant texts and documents for each topic of the programme and interaction between teacher and students;
- searching on the Internet for bibliography and relevant information to the issues under analysis;
- answering and discussing practical problems and questions;
- a monographic work on a real market to be done throughout the semester;
- contributions to the online dictionary and forum discussions, and analysis of peer students work.
Assessment:
- Online activities plus practical questions (25%);
- Monographic work (45%);
- Written exam (30%).