Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Industrial Economics
Module Code	EF301
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: declan curran Semester 2: declan curran Autumn: declan curran
Module Teacher	declan curran
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module builds on the Introduction to Microeconomics, by adopting industrial, regional, national and international perspectives in answering questions about the factors determining the performance of firms. Both individual firms and groups of firms - in sub-sectors and sectors, in particular locations, and in networks - are examined. Participants in the module will be aided in developing a wide knowledge of the discipline through many short questions. In depth understanding will be obtained through a focus on a fundamental essay question on each chapter.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how industrial economics and organization theories and their application began and developed;
2. Choose appropriate tools and frameworks for analysing different aspects of organizations and industries;
3. Identify where game theory is applicable to decision making in oligopolistic industries;
4. Compare and contrast different theories of the firm in terms of their power to explain the nature and development of organizations;
5. Explain the determinants of market structure, theoretically, nationally and in the European Union;
6. Judge the effectiveness of the main concepts and theories on spatial concentration of economic activity;
7. Critically evaluate the various approaches to innovation in organizations, industries and regions.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Directed learning	50	Reading prescribed texts and answering questions on them
Independent learning	27	Reading texts not on the reading list, but suggested in class
Examination	24	Preparation and practice for examination
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction.
Overview - brief summary of the material to be covered in the module.

Perspectives on Industries.
The origin and evolution of the Structure-Conduct-Performance framework will be explained; alternatives, including the approaches of Porter and Best will be compared.

Game Theory.
The importance of oligopolistic structures in modern economies will be demonstrated. Game theory and its contribution to the analysis of oligopoly will be demonstrated.

Neoclassical Theories of the Firm.
Having already been introduced in Introduction to Ecnonomics, these theories will be reviewed and recent developments explained.

Other Theories of the Firm.
The critiques of neoclassical theories of the firm have led to the development of a number of other theories, some complementary to and others alternative to neoclassical theories. These will be introduced and their application demonstrated.

Neoclassical Market Structures.
Most of these were covered in Introduction to Ecnomics. They will be reviewed and critical questions addressed.

Oligopoly.
In this part of the module the variations on the basic Cournot oligopoly model will be introduced, and the need for such variations explained.

Location.
Location, including co-location, is extremely important for industrial development. In this section major theories including those of industrial districts and clusters will be covered.

Technological Change and Innovation.
The traditional theories of tech change and innovation have been revised in recent years and evolutionary theories, including for example, innovation systems theories, have been introduced. These will be considered, and related to other parts of the module, for example location..

Multinational Enterprises and Globalization.
The existence and importance of MNEs are fundamental to local and global developments of industries. The relationships between MNEs, globalization and local economic development will be discussed..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Andreosso, B. and Jacobson, D.: 2005, Industrial Economics and Organisation: A European Perspective., Second, All, McGraw-Hill, UK, 10: 0-07-710422-6

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

Bachelor of Business Studies

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO