Internet Economics and Digital Business
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The main goal of this course is to build on and extend Industrial Organization theories to develop an understanding of the economics of information technology, digital markets and internet businesses. Specifically, with the growing impact of the Internet on marketplaces, students will be challenged in understanding to what extent classical microeconomic theories still hold. The course will be also focused on the impact of widespread information on monopolist choices and consumer surplus, thus turning into new government policies.
Expected learning outcomes
Participants in this course will learn how the set the prices of a company competing in old- and new-economy sectors, to choose profitably whether or not to collaborate with competitors, to understand when and if a monopolist is better off by subsidizing a market side, and eventually how to suggest the national government whether or not to intervene in order to stimulate competition and reduce incumbents' power over new entrants.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
The information to access classes online via Teams are available on the Ariel page of the course.
Course syllabus
· Introduction to the internet economy: a brief technological and historical overview
· Pricing in digital markets
· Network externalities and switching costs
· Two-sided markets and platforms
· Access and interconnection in telecommunications
· Sharing economy
· Competition policy and regulation for digital markets
· Innovation: digital innovation, drastic Innovation versus non drastic innovation
· Digital technologies ad artificial Intelligence in manufacturing: firms' side
· Digital technologies and artificial intelligence in manufacturing: consumers' side
· Internet of beings
· Pricing in digital markets
· Network externalities and switching costs
· Two-sided markets and platforms
· Access and interconnection in telecommunications
· Sharing economy
· Competition policy and regulation for digital markets
· Innovation: digital innovation, drastic Innovation versus non drastic innovation
· Digital technologies ad artificial Intelligence in manufacturing: firms' side
· Digital technologies and artificial intelligence in manufacturing: consumers' side
· Internet of beings
Prerequisites for admission
Notions of microeconomics and industrial organization as taught in the course "Advanced Industrial Organization" (first year).
Teaching methods
Lectures and guest speakers' talks.
Teaching Resources
Stefano Comino and Fabio Maria Manenti (2014), "Industrial Organisation of High-Technology Markets. The Internet and Information Technologies". Edward Elgar Publishing.
Additional (compulsory and non-compulsory) readings will be communicated at the beginning of the course.
Additional (compulsory and non-compulsory) readings will be communicated at the beginning of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
A written exam aims at evaluating the skills and the critical abilities developed by the students as regards to the theories explained during lectures, and their applications to business environments.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Giorgetti Maria Letizia, Zirulia Lorenzo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
11.30 a.m-13.30 a.m.,Thursday
aula 9- 2° piano via Conservatorio, 7
Reception:
Friday 9-12
Room 16, second floor, via Conservatorio 7/MS- TEAMS (please send me an email for booking a slot)