Industrial Organization and Competition Policy

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The purpose of the course is to give students a general introduction to the theory of industrial organisation and to competition policy.

The course deals with basic monopoly theory and theory of competition in markets with few firms (oligopoly theory). Students also receive an introduction to game theory to be able to analyse static and dynamic games. Selected parts of modern competition policy are reviewed.

A key theme in the course is market power and how it affects society and consumers. What happens to welfare when a monopolist charges different prices to different customers or markets (price discrimination), and what incentive does the monopolist have to offer products of good quality? In the course we also analyse, through various models for imperfect competition, how the order of moves and type of competition affect market outcomes.

Finally, we review selected competition policy topics such as mergers, vertical agreements and collusion, and their effect on the society and customers.  We then use the learned theoretical concepts to analyse real-life competition policy cases.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes: 

Knowledge

The student

  • Understand the concept of market power and what harmful effects this has for society and consumers, as well as what incentives companies with market power have.
  • Has basic knowledge of competition policy and competition policy instruments.

Skills 

The student

  • Can use basic game theory to study strategic situations.
  • Can use basic oligopoly theory to analyze strategic interaction in markets with imperfect competition.
  • Can discuss how mergers, cartels and vertical agreements affect economic efficiency and welfare.
  • Can apply the theoretical concepts learned in the course to analyse real-life competition authority case studies.

General competence

The student

  • Can analyse real-life situations using theoretical concepts learned in economics and formulate the arguments in a written format 
  • Can participate constructively in discussions on their own and others' work

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Irregular
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Full overlap with ECON160
Access to the Course
Open
Teaching and learning methods
18 lectures and seminars
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
A written individual assignment
Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment with overall grade assessment. 

  • Group assignment (40%) (no assessment of individual contribution)
  • Individual 2-hour school exam (60%)

The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught. 
The exam can be submitted in English. It is also possible to submit in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Grading Scale
Graded A-F
Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester.

Regarding re-sit exam

Essay

Students with valid absence as defined in UiB's study regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extension of the submission deadline on the written essay by emailing Studieveileder.econ@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired.

School exam

A re-sit exam is arranged for students with valid absence at school exam given that the essay has been submitted according to § 5-5.

If a resit exam is arranged, it is available for students with the following results/absences:

  • Medical certificate/valid absence
  • Interrupted exam

If you have the right to take a resit exam and a resit exam is arranged for students with valid absence, you can register yourself in StudentWeb after January 15th/August 1st.

Reading List
The reading list will be ready before 1 July for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.  
Examination Support Material
  • Simple, non-programmable calculators without graphical display, in accorance with university guidelines.
  • The Department of Economics can conduct a sample of aids in the examination room.

    Programme Committee
    The Programme Commitee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses. 
    Course Administrator
    The Department of Economics at the Faculty of Social Sciences has det administrative responsibility for the course and the study programme.