GRA 1305 Industrial Organization and Economics Consulting

GRA 1305 Industrial Organization and Economics Consulting

Course code: 
GRA 1305
Department: 
Economics
Credits: 
6
Course coordinator: 
Christian Riis
Espen Rasmus Moen
Course name in Norwegian: 
Industrial Organization and Economics Consulting
Product category: 
Master
Portfolio: 
MSc in Applied Economics
Semester: 
2021 Spring
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

lndustrial organization (IO) analyses the boundary of firms and the relationship between firms and markets. lndustrial organization constitutes the theoretical underpinning of economics consulting. The purpose of this course is twofold: First to give the students a sound theoretical understanding of the field of industrial economics. Second to demonstrate how the principals of industrial organization are applied within economics consulting, through real-world cases. Professionals from the industry will give guest lecturers.

Examples of topics include: incentives and contracts, price discrimination and Ramsey pricing, acquisitions and mergers, auctions, economic implications of the competition law, regulation, and innovation. 

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

The aim of this course is to provide a thorough understanding of industrial organization, and of how it is applied within economics consulting. Students are expected to contribute in real-world discussion in each specific case studied in the course.

Learning outcomes - Skills
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the principles of industrial organization
  • Understand the economic consequences of the competition law
  • Understand principles behind governmental regulation
  • Develop an ability to use economic theory within economics consulting
General Competence

Through this course, students should develop an understanding of the relevance of modern economic methodology for companies, and how the methods can be used to improve the companies ' strategic choices.

Course content

The course covers topics as:

  • Competitive structure and companies' strategic challenges
  • Optimal pricing with fixed costs (Ramsey-principle)
  • Auctions
  • Competition law and theory of regulation
  • Incentive contracts
  • Collusion
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Vertical structure and organizational design

Cases:

  • Price discrimination in the grocery market
  • Telecommunication and access pricing,
  • The market for hydropower and regulation,
  • The book market and RPM contracts
  • Pricing of port services and the Ramsey principle
  • Litigation case: overcharge in the Telecommunications markets
Teaching and learning activities

-

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Additional information

Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class.

Qualifications

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Covid-19

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.

Required prerequisite knowledge

GRA 6031 Microeconomics or equivalent (may be taken in the same semester)

Exam categoryWeightInvigilationDurationSupport materialsGroupingComment exam
Exam category:
Submission
Form of assessment:
Written submission
Exam code:
GRA13051
Grading scale:
ECTS
Grading rules:
Internal and external examiner
Resit:
Examination when next scheduled course
100Yes3 Hour(s)
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
  • Book: Sydsæter K., Strøm A., & Berck P. Economists’ mathematical manual. Springer.
Individual Written examination under supervision
Exams:
Exam category:Submission
Form of assessment:Written submission
Weight:100
Invigilation:Yes
Grouping (size):Individual
Support materials:
  • BI-approved exam calculator
  • Simple calculator
  • Bilingual dictionary
  • Book: Sydsæter K., Strøm A., & Berck P. Economists’ mathematical manual. Springer.
Duration:3 Hour(s)
Comment:Written examination under supervision
Exam code:GRA13051
Grading scale:ECTS
Resit:Examination when next scheduled course
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Sum workload: 
0

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.