Learning Outcomes

During the last few decades the field of Industrial Organization has been studied by most economists, and especially by those focusing in finance, marketing and strategy. This is mainly due to two reasons: (1) industrial organization is the first field in economics in which game theory has been applied to a large extent, and (2) industrial organization has analysed the operation of highly competitive markets. In particular, industrial organization places great emphasis on the study of business strategies and their interaction in the market (price competition, product differentiation, advertising, etc.) and also deals with the study of oligopoly (i.e. competition between competitors).

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
• have a deeper understanding of firm’s behaviour in a non-competitive environment
• understand how markets and industries operate
• understand how cartels operate and how to deal with them through competition policy
• explain the differences between competitive and non-competitive markets
analyse the various firms’ pricing techniques and the differentiation strategy of their products

General Competences
Adapting to new situations
Decision-making
Working independently
Teamwork
Working in an international environment
Working in an interdisciplinary environment
Production of new research ideas Teamwork
Project planning and management
Respect for difference and multiculturalism
Respect for the natural environment
Showing social, professional, and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues
Criticism and self-criticism
Production of free, creative and inductive thinking