Module ECON2081: BUSINESS COMPETITION

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

ECON2081: BUSINESS COMPETITION

Prerequisites

• Elements of Economics (ECON1011) (Durham) AND Economic Methods (ECON1021) OR Introduction to Economics (ECOS1031) (Queen's Campus, Stockon) AND Quantitative Methods (ECOS1101).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to:
• build upon material introduced at Preliminary Honours level in order to develop an understanding of key aspects of business competition, and associated policy issues
• provide students with a good grounding for undertaking a dissertation in the field of business competition
• provide students with opportunities to practise and devlop a range of key skills

Content

• The Nature and Scope of the Firm
• Vertical market relationships
• Implications of the separation of ownership and control
• The industrial organisation of the firm
• Industry analysis
• Competitive behaviour
• The welfare concequences of market power
• Competition policy in practice: cartels and dominant firms
• Competition policy in practice: Merger policy
• Topics in Business competition

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:
• knowledge and understanding of key aspects of business competition, inlcuding the organisation of firms,
• some important aspects of compettiive behaviour,
• and relevant policy issues

• On completion of the module, students should be able to make an informed contribution to relevant policy debates.

• Written Communication - e.g. by completing assignments
• Planning, Organisation and Time Management - e.g. by planning their work schedule in order to: undertake private study of recommended and independently researched reading material; prepare for seminar discussions; meet deadlines for the submission of assessed work; prepare for the written examination.
• Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. by exercising critical thinking in applying relevant theory and empirical evidence to the analysis of problems and issues encountered
• Initiative - e.g. by selecting and researching relevant literature and information in preparation for their student-centred learning topic, and the written examination.
• Computer Literacy and Information Retrieval ??? e.g. by word processing their assignment; accessing and downloading teaching material from DUO; undertaking bibliographic search and information retrieval for their student-centred learning topic.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of 1500 word written piece. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of two and a quarter hours duration.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two sets of multiple choice questions

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University