Industrial Organisation

Subject 316-616 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Seminars, or lectures and tutorials totalling three hours per week (Semester 2)
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: 316-611 Microeconomics
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Nisvan Erkal
Subject Overview: This subject provides an overview of selected topics in industrial organisation. Industrial organisation deals with the structure, management and performance of firms and markets. The main emphasis will be on theoretical principles although there will be some discussion of empirical approaches. Topics to be covered include the theory of the firm, monopoly and durable goods, price discrimination, oligopoly pricing, product choice, dynamic price competition and tacit collusion, search and market intermediaries, signalling and limit pricing, product differentiation, advertising, entry and exit, research and development, and vertical relationships between firms.
Objectives: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • Explain how firms acquire market power and how they use this market power once acquired;
  • Analyse how competing firms interact strategically;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various aspects of firm behaviour;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various types of public policy, such as antitrust policy, patent policy, and regulatory policy;
  • Describe the current state of knowledge in the field of industrial organization.
Assessment: Class assignments totalling not more than 4000 words (40%) and one 3-hour examination (60%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
  • Strategic thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
  • Accessing economic and other information
  • Summarising and interpretation of information
  • Problem solving skills
  • Written communication
Notes: Students may not gain credit for both 316-616 Industrial Organisation and 316-409 Industrial Organisation.
Related Course(s): Master of Commerce - Economics

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