Universität Wien
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040140 KU Competition and Regulation: Theory (MA) (2025W)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
We 01.10. 15:00-16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

    Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

    • Thursday 02.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 08.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 09.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 15.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 16.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 22.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 23.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 29.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 30.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 05.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 06.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 12.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 13.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 19.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 20.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 26.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 27.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 03.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 04.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 10.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 11.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 17.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 18.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 07.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 08.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 14.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 15.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 21.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 22.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß
    • Wednesday 28.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 10 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
    • Thursday 29.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 Erdgeschoß

    Information

    Aims, contents and method of the course

    This is a course in competition, regulation, and more broadly, industrial organization, which studies how markets function and the extent to which regulation can help when markets fail. The primary aim is to provide a solid theoretical foundation for understanding market structure, the strategic behavior of firms and consumers, and the implications of these dynamics. Throughout the course, particular emphasis will be placed on the role of information in market interactions, reflecting the growing importance of data and digital platforms.

    The course is structured in several parts. We begin with a review of key microeconomic concepts and a discussion of how to delineate markets. The first part of the course will be devoted to monopoly, with a single firm serving the market. We then study different forms of price discrimination and their welfare implications under various informational environments. We also delve into how product durability can constrain the monopoly power of a firm. Next, we turn to markets with multiple firms where they strategically interact with each other. This broad area is divided into several subtopics. First, we will discuss some standard static competition models and their paradoxical predictions. Then we discuss the competition under product differentiation, capacity constraints, and consumer search (imperfect information). Second, we will deal with strategic forms of entry deterrence. Third, we will deal with cartel formation and tacit collusion in dynamic environment. Finally, the rest of the course we will look at research and development, network externalities, and platform economics (if time permits).

    The course will be delivered mainly through lectures. Problem sets will be distributed regularly and some sessions will be devoted to the discussion of problems. Students are expected to read the material in advance to encourage active participation during lectures. When problems are discussed, students are expected to have worked on the problem sets in advance. Students are encouraged to do the recommended readings to complement classroom discussion on the related topics.

    Assessment and permitted materials

    see below

    Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

    Prerequisites: Microeconomics I (Mikroökonomie I) and Game Theory I (Spieltheorie) I).
    Grading: 35% Midterm, 45% Final, 20% Homeworks and in-class participation

    Examination topics

    All materials covered in the lectures

    Reading list

    We will primarily follow the textbook The Theory of Industrial Organization(1988, MIT Press, https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262200714/the-theory-of-industrial-organization/) by Tirole, complemented by reading assignments of academic papers to be updated along the way.

    Students might also find the following books useful:

    [1] Belleflamme, P. and M. Peitz. 2010. Industrial organization. Markets and Strategies. Cambridge University Press.
    [2] Church, J. and R. Ware. 2000. Industrial Organization. A Strategic Approach. McGraw-Hill.
    [3] Whinston, M.D. 2006. Lectures on Antitrust Economics. MIT Press.

    Association in the course directory

    Last modified: Fr 27.06.2025 14:45