Docente/i: Roberto Fontana  

Denominazione del corso: Economics for the digital society
Codice del corso: 504708
Corso di laurea: Bioingegneria, Computer Engeneering, Electronic Engineering
Sede: Pavia
Settore scientifico disciplinare: SECS-P/06
L'insegnamento è affine per: Computer Engeneering
Crediti formativi: CFU 6
Sito web del corso: n.d.

Obiettivi formativi specifici

The course will introduce the students to the main economic concepts necessary to interpret and understand the functioning of high-tech industries and markets. We will analyse the strategies used by firms to gain competitive advantages in hi-tech markets and their consequences for competition. Specific attention will be paid to innovation as a major source of economic competitive advantage and as a major determinant of changes in industry structure.

Programma del corso

Topics will include:
1. Price discrimination
2. Product differentiation and versioning
3. Network effects
4. Lock-in effects
5. Competition through standard setting

Prerequisiti

Basic concepts of Economics (demand/supply function, perfect competition equilibrium), basic concepts of Game Theory.

Tipologia delle attività formative

Lezioni (ore/anno in aula): 45
Esercitazioni (ore/anno in aula): 0
Attività pratiche (ore/anno in aula): 0

Materiale didattico consigliato

Shapiro, C. and H.A. Varian. Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy. Harvard Business Review Press.

Rohlfs, J.H.. Bandwagon Effects in High Technology Industries. MIT Press.

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Written exam at the end of the course (2/3) and class paper presentation (1/3)