Industrial Organisation (ECON90005)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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This subject provides an overview of selected topics in industrial organization with applications in antitrust and innovation policy. Industrial organization deals with the structure, management, and performance of firms and markets. It is concerned with firm behaviour and strategy, the implications of firm behaviour for economic efficiency, and the role public policy plays in promoting efficiency. The main emphasis will be on theoretical principles although there will be some discussion of empirical approaches. The selection of topics will be organized around key questions in antitrust and innovation policy. The discussion will be guided by practical examples and case studies.

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Explain how firms acquire market power and how they use this market power once acquired;
  • Analyse how competing firms interact strategically;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various aspects of firm behaviour;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various types of public policy, such as antitrust policy, patent policy, and regulatory policy;
  • Describe the current state of knowledge in the field of industrial organization.

 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:



  • Explain how firms acquire market power and how they use this market power once acquired;
  • Analyse how competing firms interact strategically;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various aspects of firm behaviour;
  • Evaluate the welfare effects of various types of public policy, such as antitrust policy, patent policy, and regulatory policy;
  • Describe the current state of knowledge in the field of industrial organisation.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
  • Strategic thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
  • Accessing economic and other information
  • Summarising and interpretation of information
  • Problem solving skills
  • Written communication

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON90002 Microeconomics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECON40001 Advanced Microeconomics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECON40007 Industrial Organisation
Not available in 2025
 12.5

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class assignments totalling not more than 4000 words

  • 4000 words (total)
40%

End-of-semester examination

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: Successful completion of this subject requires a pass (50%) in the final exam		During the examination period60%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

  • Subject notes

    Students may not gain credit for both ECON90005 Industrial Organisation and ECON40007 Industrial Organisation.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025