The course Firms, Platforms and Digital Ecosystems aims to provide students with advanced training in the economic analysis of digital markets, with particular attention to the dynamics of platforms and innovative ecosystems.
The programme enables students to develop a solid command of industrial organization models applied to multi-sided markets, network effects, pricing strategies, and the competitive dynamics that characterize digital environments. At the same time, it examines the role of artificial intelligence as a general-purpose technology, analysing its impact on the economy, costs, firms’ organization, decision-making processes, and market structure.
The course also includes a component based on the analysis of the empirical literature, aimed at understanding firms’ digitalization processes and linking theoretical models with empirical evidence.
Overall, students will acquire advanced skills to interpret and evaluate digital business models, analyse firms’ strategies, and formulate informed judgments on regulatory and policy implications, also through the examination of case studies of the main platforms and ecosystems operating in the market. At the same time, they will develop critical autonomy and the ability to apply their knowledge in academic and professional contexts.
The programme enables students to develop a solid command of industrial organization models applied to multi-sided markets, network effects, pricing strategies, and the competitive dynamics that characterize digital environments. At the same time, it examines the role of artificial intelligence as a general-purpose technology, analysing its impact on the economy, costs, firms’ organization, decision-making processes, and market structure.
The course also includes a component based on the analysis of the empirical literature, aimed at understanding firms’ digitalization processes and linking theoretical models with empirical evidence.
Overall, students will acquire advanced skills to interpret and evaluate digital business models, analyse firms’ strategies, and formulate informed judgments on regulatory and policy implications, also through the examination of case studies of the main platforms and ecosystems operating in the market. At the same time, they will develop critical autonomy and the ability to apply their knowledge in academic and professional contexts.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
Network effects and types of platforms
Big data
Ratings and recommendation systems
Platform growth
Foundations of multi-sided pricing
Part I — Pricing Extensions and Digital Platform Design
Price discrimination
Freemium strategies
User expectations
Ratings and reputation systems
Behavioral biases
Seller governance
Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology
Foundations of the microeconomics of artificial intelligence
The value of prediction
Substitutes and complements
Automation
AI pricing
Market power and algorithmic collusion
Privacy and intellectual property
Misinformation and bias
Part III — Technological Innovation, Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems
Economics of innovation
Technology adoption and diffusion
Platforms and competition
Gatekeeping
Market entry
Regulation of digital markets
Firm digitalization
Digitalization and the labor market
Digital adoption and productivity
Digitalization and sustainability
Analysis and discussion of the scientific literature on digitalization and digital ecosystems
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5 (§5.1–§5.2).
## **Part I — Extensions of Pricing and Design in Digital Platforms**
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapter 5 (§5.3–§5.4) and Chapter 6.
## **Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology**
* Gans, J. (2025), *The Microeconomics of Artificial Intelligence*, MIT Press (open access) — Chapters 1–7, 10, 12–13, 15–20, and 22.
## **Part III — Technological Innovation and the Scientific Literature on Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems**
* Tidd, J., Bessant, J. (2020), *Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change*, 7th edition, Wiley — Chapters 1–2 and 10 (§10.9, diffusion and adoption of technologies).
* Antonelli, C. (2018), *The Evolutionary Complexity of Endogenous Innovation: The Engines of the Creative Response*, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham — Chapter 1.
* Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990), “Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation,” *Administrative Science Quarterly*, 35(1), 128–152.
[https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553](https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553)
* Teece, D. J. (1986), “Profiting from Technological Innovation: Implications for Integration, Collaboration, Licensing and Public Policy,” *Research Policy*, 15(6), 285–305.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333(86)90027-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333%2886%2990027-2)
* Jung, J., & Gómez-Bengoechea, G. (2025), “The Upheaval Years: A Literature Review on Firms’ Digitalization New Era,” *Economics of Innovation and New Technology*, 34(2), 231–273 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538](https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538)
* Pino, F. (2022), “The Microeconomics of Data — A Survey,” *Journal of Industrial and Business Economics*, 49, 635–665 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6)
For Sections III.A and III.B, the course also draws on a selection of academic articles published in international journals, listed in the **Reading List** for Part III and distributed during class.
Programme
Part 0 — Digital Markets and Platform PricingNetwork effects and types of platforms
Big data
Ratings and recommendation systems
Platform growth
Foundations of multi-sided pricing
Part I — Pricing Extensions and Digital Platform Design
Price discrimination
Freemium strategies
User expectations
Ratings and reputation systems
Behavioral biases
Seller governance
Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology
Foundations of the microeconomics of artificial intelligence
The value of prediction
Substitutes and complements
Automation
AI pricing
Market power and algorithmic collusion
Privacy and intellectual property
Misinformation and bias
Part III — Technological Innovation, Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems
Economics of innovation
Technology adoption and diffusion
Platforms and competition
Gatekeeping
Market entry
Regulation of digital markets
Firm digitalization
Digitalization and the labor market
Digital adoption and productivity
Digitalization and sustainability
Analysis and discussion of the scientific literature on digitalization and digital ecosystems
Core Documentation
## **Part 0 — Review of Digital Markets and Platform Pricing*** Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5 (§5.1–§5.2).
## **Part I — Extensions of Pricing and Design in Digital Platforms**
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapter 5 (§5.3–§5.4) and Chapter 6.
## **Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology**
* Gans, J. (2025), *The Microeconomics of Artificial Intelligence*, MIT Press (open access) — Chapters 1–7, 10, 12–13, 15–20, and 22.
## **Part III — Technological Innovation and the Scientific Literature on Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems**
* Tidd, J., Bessant, J. (2020), *Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change*, 7th edition, Wiley — Chapters 1–2 and 10 (§10.9, diffusion and adoption of technologies).
* Antonelli, C. (2018), *The Evolutionary Complexity of Endogenous Innovation: The Engines of the Creative Response*, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham — Chapter 1.
* Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990), “Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation,” *Administrative Science Quarterly*, 35(1), 128–152.
[https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553](https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553)
* Teece, D. J. (1986), “Profiting from Technological Innovation: Implications for Integration, Collaboration, Licensing and Public Policy,” *Research Policy*, 15(6), 285–305.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333(86)90027-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333%2886%2990027-2)
* Jung, J., & Gómez-Bengoechea, G. (2025), “The Upheaval Years: A Literature Review on Firms’ Digitalization New Era,” *Economics of Innovation and New Technology*, 34(2), 231–273 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538](https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538)
* Pino, F. (2022), “The Microeconomics of Data — A Survey,” *Journal of Industrial and Business Economics*, 49, 635–665 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6)
For Sections III.A and III.B, the course also draws on a selection of academic articles published in international journals, listed in the **Reading List** for Part III and distributed during class.
Attendance
not mandatoryType of evaluation
Usually written. teacher profile teaching materials
Network effects and types of platforms
Big data
Ratings and recommendation systems
Platform growth
Foundations of multi-sided pricing
Part I — Pricing Extensions and Digital Platform Design
Price discrimination
Freemium strategies
User expectations
Ratings and reputation systems
Behavioral biases
Seller governance
Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology
Foundations of the microeconomics of artificial intelligence
The value of prediction
Substitutes and complements
Automation
AI pricing
Market power and algorithmic collusion
Privacy and intellectual property
Misinformation and bias
Part III — Technological Innovation, Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems
Economics of innovation
Technology adoption and diffusion
Platforms and competition
Gatekeeping
Market entry
Regulation of digital markets
Firm digitalization
Digitalization and the labor market
Digital adoption and productivity
Digitalization and sustainability
Analysis and discussion of the scientific literature on digitalization and digital ecosystems
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5 (§5.1–§5.2).
## **Part I — Extensions of Pricing and Design in Digital Platforms**
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapter 5 (§5.3–§5.4) and Chapter 6.
## **Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology**
* Gans, J. (2025), *The Microeconomics of Artificial Intelligence*, MIT Press (open access) — Chapters 1–7, 10, 12–13, 15–20, and 22.
## **Part III — Technological Innovation and the Scientific Literature on Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems**
* Tidd, J., Bessant, J. (2020), *Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change*, 7th edition, Wiley — Chapters 1–2 and 10 (§10.9, diffusion and adoption of technologies).
* Antonelli, C. (2018), *The Evolutionary Complexity of Endogenous Innovation: The Engines of the Creative Response*, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham — Chapter 1.
* Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990), “Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation,” *Administrative Science Quarterly*, 35(1), 128–152.
[https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553](https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553)
* Teece, D. J. (1986), “Profiting from Technological Innovation: Implications for Integration, Collaboration, Licensing and Public Policy,” *Research Policy*, 15(6), 285–305.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333(86)90027-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333%2886%2990027-2)
* Jung, J., & Gómez-Bengoechea, G. (2025), “The Upheaval Years: A Literature Review on Firms’ Digitalization New Era,” *Economics of Innovation and New Technology*, 34(2), 231–273 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538](https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538)
* Pino, F. (2022), “The Microeconomics of Data — A Survey,” *Journal of Industrial and Business Economics*, 49, 635–665 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6)
For Sections III.A and III.B, the course also draws on a selection of academic articles published in international journals, listed in the **Reading List** for Part III and distributed during class.
Mutuazione: 21230044 Imprese, piattaforme ed ecosistemi digitali in Economia e Gestione della Trasformazione Digitale LM-56 R PIERUCCI ELEONORA
Programme
Part 0 — Digital Markets and Platform PricingNetwork effects and types of platforms
Big data
Ratings and recommendation systems
Platform growth
Foundations of multi-sided pricing
Part I — Pricing Extensions and Digital Platform Design
Price discrimination
Freemium strategies
User expectations
Ratings and reputation systems
Behavioral biases
Seller governance
Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology
Foundations of the microeconomics of artificial intelligence
The value of prediction
Substitutes and complements
Automation
AI pricing
Market power and algorithmic collusion
Privacy and intellectual property
Misinformation and bias
Part III — Technological Innovation, Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems
Economics of innovation
Technology adoption and diffusion
Platforms and competition
Gatekeeping
Market entry
Regulation of digital markets
Firm digitalization
Digitalization and the labor market
Digital adoption and productivity
Digitalization and sustainability
Analysis and discussion of the scientific literature on digitalization and digital ecosystems
Core Documentation
## **Part 0 — Review of Digital Markets and Platform Pricing*** Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5 (§5.1–§5.2).
## **Part I — Extensions of Pricing and Design in Digital Platforms**
* Belleflamme, P., Peitz, M. (2021), *The Economics of Platforms: Concepts and Strategy*, Cambridge University Press — Chapter 5 (§5.3–§5.4) and Chapter 6.
## **Part II — Artificial Intelligence as a General-Purpose Technology**
* Gans, J. (2025), *The Microeconomics of Artificial Intelligence*, MIT Press (open access) — Chapters 1–7, 10, 12–13, 15–20, and 22.
## **Part III — Technological Innovation and the Scientific Literature on Digitalization and Digital Ecosystems**
* Tidd, J., Bessant, J. (2020), *Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change*, 7th edition, Wiley — Chapters 1–2 and 10 (§10.9, diffusion and adoption of technologies).
* Antonelli, C. (2018), *The Evolutionary Complexity of Endogenous Innovation: The Engines of the Creative Response*, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham — Chapter 1.
* Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990), “Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation,” *Administrative Science Quarterly*, 35(1), 128–152.
[https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553](https://doi.org/10.2307/2393553)
* Teece, D. J. (1986), “Profiting from Technological Innovation: Implications for Integration, Collaboration, Licensing and Public Policy,” *Research Policy*, 15(6), 285–305.
[https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333(86)90027-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-7333%2886%2990027-2)
* Jung, J., & Gómez-Bengoechea, G. (2025), “The Upheaval Years: A Literature Review on Firms’ Digitalization New Era,” *Economics of Innovation and New Technology*, 34(2), 231–273 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538](https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2024.2328538)
* Pino, F. (2022), “The Microeconomics of Data — A Survey,” *Journal of Industrial and Business Economics*, 49, 635–665 — introductory survey covering both Sections III.A and III.B.
[https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-022-00220-6)
For Sections III.A and III.B, the course also draws on a selection of academic articles published in international journals, listed in the **Reading List** for Part III and distributed during class.
Attendance
not mandatoryType of evaluation
Usually written.