EC337: Industrial Economics 2: Market Economics, Competition & Regulation
Principal Aims
EC337-15 Industrial Economics 2: Market Economics, Competition & RegulationPrincipal Learning Outcomes
Subject knowledge and understanding:...demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to analyse competition and regulation policy in different market structures, covering economic regulation of firms and markets, applying critical analysis, formulating concepts and hypotheses, and showing how they are tested in relevant literature. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to apply microeconomic theory to address regulation and competition problems, as well as demonstrating familiarity with contemporary empirical debates and latest research in industrial economics.. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, seminars, guided reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Essay and Briefing paper.
Subject-specific and Professional Key General Skills:...demonstrate proficiency in study and research skills such as communicating knowledge and understanding to others, verbally and in writing; demonstrating proficiency in study and research skills including data skills and the use of library and the Internet as information sources; demonstrating proficiency in mathematical/statistical skills; and demonstrating proficiency in study and research skills through reviewing relevant literature and evidence. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, seminars, guided reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Essay and Briefing paper.
Cognitive skills:...demonstrate capacity of analytical thinking, reasoning and application; demonstrate capacity of abstraction and problem solving, and demonstrate capacity of applying critical analysis to the topics of the module. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, seminars, guided reading and independent study. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Essay and Briefing paper.
Syllabus
The core topics in the syllabus for this module will be based on the following:
1. Market Failures and Competition Policy Theories of market structure, conduct and performance and their relationship to antitrust policy. Theory will be complemented by extensive reference to experiences in the UK, EU and the United States. Specific topics are likely to include:
•The concept of market definition;
•Measures, determinants, and consequences of horizontal concentration and market power (dominance);
•Prohibition on restrictive practices and abuses of dominance (articles 101 & 102 TFEU);
•Substantial lessening of competition tests; horizontal merger policy;
•Vertical structures including vertical integration, restraints, mergers, and operational separation;
•Per se rules versus rule of reason (as part of the wider debate on effects based competition policy versus form based competition policy);
•Essential facilities, access pricing remedies and multi-sided markets;
•Innovation and dynamic efficiency
2. Natural monopoly, Market Liberalisation and Regulation Modern regulatory practice, particularly in relation to communications and other networked public utilities. It analyses technical, economic and societal regulatory theory and practice. Specific topics are likely to inc:
•Incentive-based (“smart”) regulation,
•Use of market-based and/or ex ante regulation (e.g. spectrum auctions) and regulatory reform.
•Specific cases include ‘converged’ regulators (Ofcom formed in 2003 in the UK combines the former duties of five separate regulatory bodies) and self- and co-regulation in e.g. financial and professional services, animal disease management and Internet regulation.
•Examples from Internet economics (e.g. cloud computing networks) and health care management procurement are likely to feature.
However, the module leader may add additional topics and sub-topics within the scope set out by the aims and learning outcomes of the module and subject to the approval of the department.
Context
- Optional Module
- GL11 - Year 3, GL12 - Year 4, L1P5 - Year 1, L1PA - Year 1, LM1D (LLD2) - Year 3, V7ML - Year 3, V7MM - Year 4, LA99 - Year 3, R9L1 - Year 4, R3L4 - Year 4, R4L1 - Year 4, R2L4 - Year 4, R1L4 - Year 4, L1L8 - Year 3, L1CA - Year 3, L1CB - Year 4
- Pre or Co-requisites
EC202 (with EC208 and EC231 desirable) OR
EC204 (with EC208 and EC231 desirable) OR
EC238 (with EC208 and EC231 desirable)
EC231 and EC208 are recommended though not a formal pre-requisite. For those without EC231 or EC208, it is recommended that material covered in the EC208 and EC231 syllabus is the basis for private study during the summer vacation.
Summary:Modules: EC204-30 or EC202-30 or EC238-15
Assessment
- Assessment Method
- Coursework (100%)
- Coursework Details
- Briefing paper (70%) , Written Assignment (30%)
- Exam Timing
- N/A
Reading Lists
2024 EC337: Industrial Economics 2. Market Economics Competition & Regulation (Term 1)
Primary Readings
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press, 2015
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107687899
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
To access the text click "Read Online" and then "Continue with read-only access". Be sure to be logged into your Warwick account.
Understanding regulation: theory, strategy, and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2012
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- Edition
- 2nd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0199576092
- ISBN-13
- 9780199576098
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/5tpCz9mC
How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- Mar/Apr79
- Publisher
- Harvard Business Review
- Volume
- 57
- Volume
- March 1979
- Page end
- 145
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/NWsHDhxT
Regulatory reform: economic analysis and British experience
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- c1994
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, Mass
- ISBN-10
- 0262011433
- ISBN-13
- 9780262267311
- Volume
- 20
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/V6yFpxfJ
Modern economic regulation: an introduction to theory and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/Lx196XBg
Note:
To access the text click "Read Online" and then "Continue with read-only access". Be sure to be logged into your Warwick account.
The economics of collusion: cartels and bidding rings
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- c2012
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, Mass
- ISBN-13
- 9780262301503
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/NC0b6Hzz
Further Reading
Economics for competition lawyers
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2011
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- Oxford
- ISBN-10
- 0199588511
- ISBN-13
- 9780199588510
The economics of EC competition law: concepts, application and measurement
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2010
- Publisher
- Sweet & Maxwell
- Pub Place
- London
- Edition
- 3rd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0421931906
- ISBN-13
- 9780421931909
Competition law
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2024
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- Oxford, United Kingdom
- Edition
- Eleventh edition
- ISBN-10
- 019890603X
- ISBN-13
- 9780198906032
Note:
Excellent text on competition law and economics
Competition policy: theory and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2004
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- ISBN-10
- 0521816637
- ISBN-13
- 9780521016919
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VdRwcgLn
Week 1 Readings
Selling ‘The World’s Favourite Airline’: British Airways’ privatisation and the motives behind it
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2021-06-01
- Page end
- 20
Modern economic regulation: an introduction to theory and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VJWFm0cL
Note:
Chapters 3 & 5, also relevant for week 2
Understanding regulation: theory, strategy, and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2012
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- Edition
- 2nd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0199576092
- ISBN-13
- 9780199576098
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/5tpCz9mC
Note:
Chapter 5
Thirty years after water privatization—is the English model the envy of the world?
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2020-01-06
- Volume
- 36
- Volume
- 1
- Page end
- 85
- Web address
- https://0-academic-oup-com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/oxrep/article/36/1/69/5696683?login=true
Week 2 Readings
Privatization: an economic analysis
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- c1988
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Pub Place
- London
- ISBN-10
- 0262220334
- Volume
- 18
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/yM22MnZ6
Note:
Chapters 3 & 4
Modern economic regulation: an introduction to theory and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VJWFm0cL
Note:
Chapters 2 & 4 also see Chapters 3 & 5 week 1 readings
Understanding regulation: theory, strategy, and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2012
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- Edition
- 2nd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0199576092
- ISBN-13
- 9780199576098
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/Wd1Bjpxw
Note:
Chapter 22
Week 3 Readings
Modern Economic Regulation
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press, 2015
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VJWFm0cL
Note:
Chapters 6 & 10
The impact of incentive regulation on productivity in the US telecommunications industry: A stochastic frontier approach
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2011-3
- Volume
- 23
- Volume
- 1
- Page end
- 11
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/KMQ8gVqj
Week 4 Readings
Modern Economic Regulation
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press, 2015
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VJWFm0cL
Note:
Chapters 8 & 9
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107687899
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
Chapter 17 on double marginalisation. (Further parts of the chapter will be relevant in later weeks of the module.)
The Nature and Scope of Contestability Theory
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 1986
- Volume
- 38
- Web address
- https://0-www-jstor-org.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/stable/2663001?seq=3
Credible regulatory threats
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2001-9
- Volume
- 29
- Volume
- 11
- Page end
- 916
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/lpnN131S
Switching Energy Suppliers: It’s Not All About the Money
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2021-07-01
- Volume
- 42
- Volume
- 3
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Pl6P7gn
Week 5 Readings
Auction Theory: A Guide to the Literature
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://0-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/doi/10.1111/1467-6419.00083
Note:
Students can choose to what extent they follow the mathematical details
Understanding regulation: theory, strategy, and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2012
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- Edition
- 2nd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0199576092
- ISBN-13
- 9780199576098
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/JPmSmhr6
Note:
Chapter 9
And the beat goes on. The continued trials and tribulations of passenger rail franchising in Great Britain
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 2020-4
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/DZfRzn4t
Industrial organization: competition, strategy and policy
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2017
- Publisher
- Pearson
- Pub Place
- Harlow, England
- Edition
- Fifth edition
- ISBN-10
- 1292121718
- ISBN-13
- 9781292121710
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/6zh3D29P
Note:
Chapter 15 plus relevant sections of Appendix 1 if interested in the maths underpinning auction theory
Week 6 Readings
How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- Mar/Apr79
- Publisher
- Harvard Business Review
- Volume
- 57
- Volume
- 2
- Page end
- 145
- Web address
- https://0-search-ebscohost-com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=3867673&site=bsi-live
Understanding regulation: theory, strategy, and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2012
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- Edition
- 2nd ed
- ISBN-10
- 0199576092
- ISBN-13
- 9780199576098
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/5tpCz9mC
Note:
Chapter 7, "Regulatory Strategies", Market-harnessing controls. Chapter 19, "Regulation and the European Union"
Modern economic regulation: an introduction to theory and practice
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- New York
- ISBN-10
- 1107699061
- ISBN-13
- 9781107699069
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/VJWFm0cL
Note:
Chapter 3, section 3.5
Reconciling the Harvard and Chicago Schools: A New Antitrust Approach for the 21st Century
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- Spring 2007
- Volume
- 82
- Volume
- 2 article 4
- Page end
- 410
- Web address
- https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1354&context=ilj
Week 7 Readings
The economics of collusion: cartels and bidding rings
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2014
- Publisher
- The MIT Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge
- ISBN-10
- 0262525941
- ISBN-13
- 9780262525947
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/NC0b6Hzz
Note:
Introduction; Chapter 6, implementation of collusion by cartels
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107707139
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
Section 14.
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107687899
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
14.2: sustainability of tacit collusion.
A theory of oligopoly
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://0-www-jstor-org.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/stable/1828791#metadata_info_tab_contents
Week 8 Readings
IBM and the mainframe market (IBM and Microsoft: Tying + dominance = abuse?)
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://voxeu.org/article/ibm-and-microsoft-tying-dominance-abuse
Note:
Related to bundling and tying in IT (IBM, Microsoft, etc.)
Excessive Pricing in Competition Law: Never say Never?
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.barcelonagse.eu/tmp/pdf/motta_excessivepricing.pdf
Tying and bundling in the digital era
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17441056.2018.1533360
Excessive Prices: An overview of EU and national case law
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- http://www.crai.co.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Excessive%20Prices-%20Foreword.pdf
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107687899
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
Chapter 11: bundlingChapter 17.3: exclusive dealing
Week 9 Readings
Merger Control Review in the United States and the European Union: Working towards Conflict Resolution
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njilb/vol26/iss2/21/
Industrial organization: markets and strategies
- Type
- Book
- Authors
- Date
- 2015
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Pub Place
- Cambridge, UK
- Edition
- Second edition
- ISBN-13
- 9781107707139
- Web address
- https://go.exlibris.link/4Y4Zv6r1
Note:
(Horozontal mergers) Part VI, section 15 (Vertical) Part VI, section 17 (17.1: double marginalization; 17.3: exclusive dealings)
The Airtours Case: Collective Dominance and Implicit Collusion In European Merger Analysis
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.market-analysis.co.uk/PDF/Topical/airtourscase.pdf
Note:
Airtour case and coordinated effects
EU competition policy should not be sacrificed but trade policy should be strengthened
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://voxeu.org/article/eu-competition-policy-should-not-be-sacrificed-trade-policy-should-be-strengthened
Note:
Discussion about Alstom/Siemens case
Competition policy and European firms' competitiveness
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://cepr.org/voxeu/blogs-and-reviews/competition-policy-and-european-firms-competitiveness
Note:
Alstom/Siemens case
Horizontal Mergers Without Synergies May Increase Consumer Welfare
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/95203
Note:
A more complicated version of the exercises for the seminar (weeks 7 and 8), but the same model.
A Theory of Conglomerate Mergers
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/1885454?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
Note:
If you are interested in conglomerate mergers.
The Effects of Conglomerate Mergers
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378426677900085
Bundling and the Ge-Honeywell Merger
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=327380
Note:
An economic analysis of the famous conglomerate merger GE/Honeywell (blocked by the EC)
The analysis of conglomerate effects in EU merger control
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/competition/economist/conglomerate.pdf
Note:
A survey paper on analysis of conglomerate mergers in EU merger control
Week 10 Readings
Google/Fitbit review: Privacy IS a competition issue
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://cepr.org/voxeu/blogs-and-reviews/googlefitbit-review-privacy-competition-issue
IS GOOGLE THE NEXT MICROSOFT? COMPETITION, WELFARE AND REGULATION IN ONLINE SEARCH
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://rufuspollock.com/papers/search_engines.pdf
Platform Envelopment
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/07-104.pdf
Note:
It will be very helpful for understanding M&A in the digital market and what firms are looking for in such acquisitions.
Competition policy for the digital era
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://ec.europa.eu/competition/publications/reports/kd0419345enn.pdf
Note:
the introduction (also the chapters about data and network effect)
Antitrust in the digital economy: Views of leading economists on the market dominance of technology giants
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Web address
- https://voxeu.org/article/antitrust-digital-economy-igm-forum-survey
Note:
Convergence and divergences of US and EU leading economists' opinions on antitrust in the digital economy
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Fitbit by Google, subject to conditions
- Type
- Article
- Authors
- Date
- 17 Dec 2020
- Pub Place
- Brussels
- Web address
- https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2484