No mandatory requirements. The courses of Industrial Organization and Microeconomics are strongly recommended.
The course provides further analysis of specific topics in Industrial Organization to go deeper in the theoretical analysis of firms, industries and market mechanisms, with particular reference to the new technologies, the economics of information and the two-sided markets. The selected topics represent a relevant and innovative issue in the IO literature.
Therefore, the student is equipped with a deep knowledge of the frontier of the IO such that she/he can support the strategic decisions of the firms.
The contents include a first part that addressed the analysis of the main models of industrial organization under conditions of uncertainty and asymmetric information (oligopoly, product differentiation, entry deterrence, collusion) While the second part introduces the role of technology and innovation, to deal with the internet economics and the two-sided markets. Under this approach, few selected topics will be illustrated (network markets, media markets, net neutrality).
Frontal class and student presentations (if the class is not too large).
Written exam in two parts. Part A: short technical question (e.g. numerical exercise). Part B: open question on some topics in the program. If the class is not too large, students' presentations will contribute to the final grade.