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This course familiarizes students with modern industrial organization from a business strategy perspective. We analyze the role of imperfectly competitive markets for corporate decisions as well as the firms' responses to changes in the market environment. In this course, we also discuss pricing and advertising strategies and focus on applications in two-sided markets. The course has a particular emphasis on recent topical issues relating to the digital economy. Main analytical tools will be microeconomic theory and game theory.
The main objectives are to understand the working of models and to connect the theoretical insights with practice. These models, often simple and yet powerful, can be applied to a broad range of real-world business problems. This course fosters understanding by carefully developing, analyzing and interpreting models. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying the models to real-world cases from different industries. After successful completion of the course, students should be able to draw from the stable of models to develop business strategies in consumer goods industries and in the digital economy.
The target audience of the course is Master's students in Business or Management and Economics with a strong interest in connecting the theory of industrial organization with business practices. To learn effectively from this course, students must have passed an undergraduate course in microeconomics, game theory or introductory industrial organization.
The course covers the following topics:
The text for the class is Belleflamme and Peitz (2010), Organization: Markets and Strategies, Cambridge University Press. The outline of topics above refers to the corresponding chapters in the book.
Lectures: Tuesdays, 16:15 to 18:00 in room KO2-F-175 (starting from September 27, 2011).
This course gives 3 ECTS points. Students can use the credits for the following modules:
The course will be graded based on:
Each student is expected to maintain academic integrity and follow the guidelines on academic honesty set forth by the University of Zurich.
The final written exam is scheduled for January 17, 2012, from 16:15 to 17:45 in room KOL-F-117. It is a closed book exam.
The purpose of the class activities is to deepen the understanding of the main concepts introduced in the lectures as well as to illustrate the relevance of these models by relating them to real-world cases. You can obtain 25 points (25% of your grade) by actively participating in these activities, as follows:
The pop quizzes give a maximum of 15 points for attendance and performance in class on three specific dates (5 points on each date).
The homework will be assigned in class on November 8, 2011 and has to be handed in on November 22, 2011 at the beginning of class. The homework assignment can be solved in groups of 2 to 4 students. It will be graded and students can earn a maximum of 10 points for the homework assignments. You must be present in class to receive the assignment. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Cell phone use during class will not be tolerated. Also, I will not answer any emails with questions regarding the material covered in the lectures. I expect you to bring up your questions at our meetings or during office hours.
Dr. Daniel Halbheer
Email: daniel.halbheer@business.uzh.ch
Office hours: Mondays, 17:00 - 19:00
Office: PLM 418
