The educational objective of the course is to develop skills in terms of economic reasoning applied to digital markets and the ability to critically analyze the implications of industrial policies for this type of market. The course aims to develop and deepen from a theoretical and empirical point of view the main characteristics of the functioning of digital markets through the tools of economic analysis and industrial economics, the study of industrial policy choices, and the use of case studies. The course provides the fundamentals of the functioning of digital markets and industrial policies. Students will learn what distinguishes digital markets and platforms; and what economic policies can be useful in case of network externalities, strategic interactions and anti-competitive practices in digital markets. Case studies and examples of industrial policies for digital markets will be explored, critically using the conceptual tools of the course to understand the main challenges for institutions and policy-makers.
teacher profile teaching materials
The first part reviews the main microeconomic and industrial‑economics tools needed to analyze digital markets, with particular reference to competition, monopoly, oligopoly, price discrimination, and market failures.
The second part introduces the distinctive economic features of the digital economy and addresses, among others, the following topics: European digital markets; connectivity; the economics and value of data; digital government and cybersecurity; network externalities and competition between systems; platforms and multi‑sided markets; e‑commerce and the sharing economy.
The third part examines in depth the economic and policy implications of digital transformation, with particular attention to competition and market power, regulation and industrial policy, digital markets and labor, digital inequality, disinformation, artificial intelligence, and the role of intangible capital. Special attention is devoted to European Union policies for markets and digital transformation.
The theoretical analysis is complemented by the discussion of empirical evidence, real‑world cases, and economic and industrial policy interventions.
Other textbooks:
Belleflamme, P. e Peitz, M. (2021), The Economics of Platforms, Cambridge University Press.
Øverby, H. e Audestad, J.A. (2021), Introduction to Digital Economics: Foundations, Business Models and Case Studies, Springer Nature.
Programme
The course analyzes the functioning of digital markets and the related economic and industrial policies by using the tools of microeconomics and industrial economics.The first part reviews the main microeconomic and industrial‑economics tools needed to analyze digital markets, with particular reference to competition, monopoly, oligopoly, price discrimination, and market failures.
The second part introduces the distinctive economic features of the digital economy and addresses, among others, the following topics: European digital markets; connectivity; the economics and value of data; digital government and cybersecurity; network externalities and competition between systems; platforms and multi‑sided markets; e‑commerce and the sharing economy.
The third part examines in depth the economic and policy implications of digital transformation, with particular attention to competition and market power, regulation and industrial policy, digital markets and labor, digital inequality, disinformation, artificial intelligence, and the role of intangible capital. Special attention is devoted to European Union policies for markets and digital transformation.
The theoretical analysis is complemented by the discussion of empirical evidence, real‑world cases, and economic and industrial policy interventions.
Core Documentation
Mariniello, M. (2022), Digital Economic Policy: The Economics of Digital Markets from a European Union Perspective, Oxford University Press.Other textbooks:
Belleflamme, P. e Peitz, M. (2021), The Economics of Platforms, Cambridge University Press.
Øverby, H. e Audestad, J.A. (2021), Introduction to Digital Economics: Foundations, Business Models and Case Studies, Springer Nature.
Type of evaluation
The assessment of learning is carried out through a written exam aimed at verifying the student’s knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the course, as well as their ability to use the tools of economic analysis to critically interpret the functioning of digital markets and economic and industrial policy interventions. The exam includes questions related to the topics in the syllabus. The evaluation takes into account the accuracy and completeness of the answers, the command of economic concepts, the ability to apply them to issues concerning digital markets and industrial policies, the ability to develop arguments, and the clarity of exposition. Students are offered the possibility of giving presentations or preparing written assignments on specific topics, according to the procedures communicated by the instructor.