Module Code - Title:

EC4417 - INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

2

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

5

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

EC4102

EC4101

EC4004

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To study the organisation of markets, firms and industries from both a theoretical and applied perspective. Pricing strategies, concentration, market performance, strategies of firms and of multinational enterprises (MNEs), and Public Policies will all be appraised at the level of the European Union evolving in a globalised context.

Syllabus:

1.Introduction (Scope and Method of Industrial Economics, S-C-P paradigm...). 2.Theories of the firm: Neoclassical and others 3.Market Structure 4.Structure and Strategy (Oligopoly Theory - Cournot and Bertrand duopoly models) 5.Non price strategies 6.Technological Innovation 7.Barriers to entry in the case of the EU 8.Performance of firms (performance indicators and performance of EU firms) 9.A Case Study: the EU Banking Industry 10.Multinational enterprises, globalisation and regionalism 11. The emerging global 'Asian' firm (keiretsu, Chaebol and Chinese SOE) 12.EU Policy with regard to industry

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Learning outcomes for this course, upon successful completion, include the ability to: Locate the theory of industrial economics: (i) within the broad field of economics; (ii) in relation to other sub-fields such as managerial economics and international economics (iii) within the ambit of the history of economic thought Understand the experience of Industrial Policy in the context of the EU and in a comparative framework Explain the structure of markets, and the strategies and performance of firms, particularly in an increasingly integrated EU and in a comparative framework Understand the importance of technological innovation Appraise the issue of firms' strategies in the framework of Globalisation and regionalism.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

N/A

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module is delivery through a combination of lectures and tutorials. The module looks to develop students who are knowledgeable about the theoretical and mathematical concepts applied to industrial economics. The tutorial assignments focus on problem solving with solutions provided in tutorials as well as discussions about issues relevant to the problems set. The focus on discussion sessions requires students to articulate their knowledge and collaborate with classmates on developing mathematical/problem-solving skills. This is an area of active research for the lecturer teaching the subject.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Andreosso, B. and D. Jacobson (2005) Industrial Economics and Organization: A European Perspective , MacGraw-Hill: London and New York

Other Relevant Texts:

Lipczynski, J., J. Wilson and J. Goddard (2005) Industrial Organisation; Competition, Strategy, Policy (2e) , Essex, Pearson Education

Gujarati, D.N. (2003) Basic Econometrics , McGaw-Hill: London and New York

BELLEFLAMME P and PEITZ M. (2010) Industrial Organization - Markets and Strategies , CUP: Cambridge

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BBBUSTUFA - BUSINESS STUDIES

BBBSFRUFA - FRENCH

BBBSGEUFA - GERMAN

BBBSJAUFA - JAPANESE

BAECSOUFA - Economics and Sociology

BSECMSUFA - Economics and Mathematical Sciences

BLLAPLUFA - (LAW PLUS)

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Autumn

Module Leader:

bernadette.andreosso@ul.ie