EC366-7-AU-CO:
Market Structure and Strategic Behaviour

The details
2023/24
Economics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
20
24 August 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MA L10512 Management Economics

Module description

This module examines strategic interaction among firms. We focus on understanding how firms make decisions and the implications of those decisions for market outcomes like prices, quantities, the type of products offered, market structure and social welfare.


The module starts with a review of elementary non-cooperative game theory. It then moves on to the analysis of firm behaviour in oligopolistic industries. Throughout the module the emphasis will be on understanding how the theoretical tools can be used to analyse real world issues. The theory will be confronted against empirical evidence, and its implications for competition policy and business strategy will be discussed.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To give students a good understanding of the main economic forces behind strategic behaviour in oligopolistic markets.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  • Appreciate the role of game theory in understanding price and non-price competition among firms.

  • Adapt economic models to particular challenges such as business strategy and competition and industrial policy.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

The module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture per week
  • One 1-hour class per week

In one term.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   EC366 Mid-Term Test      
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
0% 100%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Mikhail Freer, email: m.freer@essex.ac.uk.
Lectures: Dr Mikhail Freer / Classes: Dr Priyanka Joshi
For further information, send an email message to fineco@essex.ac.uk.

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

Dr Giancarlo Ianulardo
University of Exeter Business School
Lecturer in Economics
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 32 hours, 29 (90.6%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
3 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Economics

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