Industrial Organization, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Political Science and Economics
• Business and Economics Programme - International - Spanish
• Business and Economics Programme - International - German
• Business and Economics Programme - International - English
• Business and Economics Programme - International - French

Entry requirements

• Economics, basic course, 30 ECTS credits with at least 15 ECTS credits passed
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the students should be able to:
- analyze how markets work with focus on industries characterized by imperfect competition
- describe the meaning of market structure and what determines the market structure in different industries
- apply microeconomic theory on the analysis of the strategy of firms in different industries
- explain the possibilities and problems with the regulation of markets with imperfect competition, have knowledge about liberalization processes particularly in Sweden and be able to suggest different regulatory measures to correct for market failures.

Course content

The students’ abilities to analyze markets by studying the interaction between different markets’ basic conditions, market structure and firm strategies and the result on market performance will be developed. Microeconomic theory will be applied to understand how the market actors behave strategically under different market structures and the effects on important variables indicating market efficiency. Public regulation will be in focus. Theories on regulation including basic competition law will be presented. Experiences from liberalization processes, particularly in Sweden will also be presented.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching will be in the form of lectures, combined with seminars where the students’ have to prepare different tasks in advance. Self-studies are a necessary in addition to the teaching in class. Language of instruction: English

Examination

Examination will be in the form of

• active participation in seminars and group paper, grading scale UG
• a final, individually written home-exam, grading scale UV.
   

The final grade G requires the grade G in all of the examinations. The final grade VG requires the grade G in the group paper and the seminars, and the grade VG in the home-exam.

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department