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, the local productive systems and networks, and industrial policy. The course will specifically refer to the national and international experiences of organization of production and innovation processes, in a comparative perspective, and will refer to case-studies to stimulate discussion.

1. Knowledge and understanding
- learn the main theories of the firm
- place clusters and districts within such theories
- frame firms’ strategies within an industrial and territorial system
- be familiar with major international experiences in the organization of production and innovation processes
- 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 frame the industrial structure and the innovation system the firm belongs to
- 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
- be able to critically assess advantages and disadvantages of the industrial localization
- 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

Module I will deal with the following topics:
- Evolution of Industrial Economics and link with Strategic Management
- Market strutture (types)
- Industrial structure (characteristics, classifications, boundaries and evolution)
- Industrial localization and territorial competition (localized competences, specializations and knowledge; clusters and industrial districts; innovation systems; governance structures)
- From industrial structure to strategic behaviors (firms’ competitive factors; innovation paths; the new competitive assets: Industry 4.0; Green and Sustainability)
- Economics of innovation
- Business systems and value chains (vertical and horizontal integration and disintegration)
- International network strategies (global production network and global innovation network)

Common to module I and II:

Di Tommaso, M.R., Rubini, L., Barbieri, L., Tassinari, M. “Economia e Politica Industriale. Organizzazione della produzione, innovazione e politiche di interesse pubblico”, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2021.

Specific to module I:

See exam materials on Moodle

More detailed information about referral texts will be provided during class

Not attending students: Written exam (100 percent of the final grade)
Attending students: Written exam (50 percent of the final grade) and laboratories (50 percent of the final grade)

The course is mainly held on campus. In the II module a part of the course will be given in "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

In an effort to listen students' needs and interests, after the first conversations, the programme and the exam may change.
Please register also on MOODLE

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