INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY MOD. 1

The course complements the other courses of the degree: it provides students with the basic knowledge about industrial policy and economics. In particular the course will deal with the theory of the firm, different form of enterprises, clusters, districts and networks, and industrial policy. The course will specifically refer to the international experiences of organization of production, in a comparative perspective, and will refer to international case-studies to stimulate discussion.

1. Knowledge and understanding
- learn the main theories of the firm
- place clusters and districts within such theories
- be familiar with major international experiences in the organization of production
- understand the evolution of theory and debate around industrial policy

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- know how to frame case studies in the theoretical framework of reference provided
- know how to distinguish the different types firms
- know how to highlight the advantages and challenges deriving from different modes of organization of production
- be able to identify advantages and disadvantages from the use of industrial policy

3. Ability to judge
- be able to critically assess the evolution of the organization of production in various contexts
- know how to suggest interventions to support the functioning of the productive system

4. Communication skills
- students will be able to exercise their ability to present, argue, discuss scientific work - theoretical or applied - on the topics discussed in class through participation to the laboratories

Students are encouraged to take the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics exams before this course

1. Review of basic concepts: economics, industrial economics, economics of business systems;
2. Main theories of the firm: neoclassical, managerial, behavioural;
3. The perspective of transaction costs;
4. International experiences and different forms of firms: the asian case;
5. System of firms;
6. Industrial policy: theories and debate;

Lipczynski J., Wilson J.O.S., Goddard W., Economia Industriale: Concorrenza, strategie e politiche pubbliche, Pearson, capitoli 1, 3, 4, 12, 13.

Di Tommaso M.R., Rabellotti R. (1999), Efficienza collettiva e sistemi d’imprese: oltre l’esperienza italiana, Bologna: il Mulino. Capitolo 2 (vedere materiali d'esame su Moodle);

Dei Ottati G. (2018), "DISTRETTI INDUSTRIALI E LUOGHI NEL PENSIERO DI GIACOMO BECATTINI: UN ALTRO MODO DI FARE L’ECONOMISTA", Economia e Società Regionale (vedere materiali d'esame su Moodle);

Williamson O. (1975), Mercati e Gerarchie, pp. 162-186, (vedere materiali d'esame su Moodle);

Buckley P. and Casson (2009), The internalisation theory of the multinational enterprise: A review of the progress of a research agenda after 30 years, Journal of International Business Studies, (vedere materiali d'esame su Moodle);

Not attending students: Written exam (100 percent of the final grade)

Attending students: Written exam (40 percent of the final grade) and laboratories (60 percent of the final grade)

The course is offered in the "blended" mode, with some online contents. The course includes lectures and workshops with presentation and discussion of scientific articles/case study (workshops only for attending students). All information regarding the functioning of the course will be provided during the first lecture.

Italian

written