Module Code - Title:
EC4417
-
INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
EC4004
EC4101
EC4102
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.
Prime Texts:
Andreosso, B. and D. Jacobson (2005)
Industrial Economics and Organization: A European Perspective
, MacGraw-Hill: London and New York
Other Relevant Texts:
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
Lipczynski, J., J. Wilson and J. Goddard (2005)
Industrial Organisation; Competition, Strategy, Policy (2e)
, Essex, Pearson Education
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECONOMICS AND MATHEMATICS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES
HIGHER DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (PRE MASTERS STUDIES)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
bernadette.andreosso@ul.ie