APPLIED INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS

Acquire knowledge about methods and models in industrial economics to be used in business decision making and marketing, in particular for what concerns the definition of prices.

Be able to understand the mechanisms behind price discrimination and be able to apply them in a business context.

The knowledge of the basic principles of microeconomics is an advantage. These fundamentals will be briefly reviewed in the initial part of the course.

1) Basic concepts
a review of the basic principles of microeconomics
horizontal concentration
vertical concentration

2) Discrimination and differentiation
linear price discrimination
non linear price discrimination
differentiation and quality

3) Market power and interventions
market power and its effects
the protection of market power
regulation

(the third part will be covered depending on available time)

The main textbook for the course is Pepall et al, Organizzazione Industriale, McGraw-Hill. The book is at third edition (2017) but the use of this version is not compulsory. Among the different editions there could be discrepancies (for example in the numbering of the exercises) that can easily be overcome by paying sufficient attention. Part 1 of the text provides a valid review. Part 2 (monopoly power in theory and in practice) is central in the development of the course and will be covered in class.

We will also refer to Besanko et al., Economia dell’industria e strategie d'impresa, edizione ISEDI, for the study of the concept of concentration.

Other valid textbooks are:

Carlton, Perloff, Organizzazione Industriale, McGraw-Hill;
Cabral, Economia industriale, Carocci;

These textbooks can be useful for deepening your knowledge or for having a different illustration of the concepts presented in class.

Finally, if needed, references to additional teaching material (articles, videos, slides, etc.) will be provided in class.

The exam is written and lasts 90 minutes.

The test includes multiple choice questions and two open questions or exercises of a quantitative and theoretical nature. The exam is considered passed if the grade is at least 18. During the exam it is forbidden to use books, notes, telephones and any other electronic device, except for the calculator. It is not possible to take an oral exam. The exam assesses the knowledge and understanding of course content and the student's ability to use the concepts presented in the course.

Students are invited to contact the course responsible during the first two weeks of the course for clarifications concerning the exam.

Lectures and exercises in class. Depending on students' participation and interest, it may be considered the presentation and discussion in class of some case studies. Other exercises on the course topics can be found in C. Garavaglia. Economia industriale: esercizi e applicazioni, Carocci.

Italian

Support material will be available on MOODLE.

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Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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