Module: Industrial Economics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Industrial Economics
Module Code	ECO1009 (ITS: EF301)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module builds on the Introduction to Microeconomics, by adopting industrial, regional, national and international perspectives in answering questions about the factors determining the performance of firms. Both individual firms and groups of firms - in sub-sectors and sectors, in particular locations, and in networks - are examined. Participants in the module will be aided in developing a wide knowledge of the discipline through many short questions. In depth understanding will be obtained through a focus on a fundamental essay question on each chapter.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how industrial economics and organization theories and their application began and developed;
2. Choose appropriate tools and frameworks for analysing different aspects of organizations and industries;
3. Identify where game theory is applicable to decision making in oligopolistic industries;
4. Compare and contrast different theories of the firm in terms of their power to explain the nature and development of organizations;
5. Discuss the key features of market structure theories and assess them in the context of real-world industries.
6. Assess the explanatory power of prominent theories of spatial concentration of economic activity.
7. Critically evaluate the various approaches to innovation in organizations, industries and regions - and discuss innovation policy approaches.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Directed learning	50	Reading prescribed texts and answering questions on them
Assignment Completion	27	Term paper
Directed learning	24	Preparation and practice for examination
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20248	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Curran	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Individual assignment, with assignment topic provided by lecturer	30%	Week 24
Written Exam	Review questions (2 out of 4) in which students demonstrate their ability to critically analyze industrial economics issues covered in module.	70%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Overview - brief summary of the material to be covered in the module

Perspectives on Industries
The origin and evolution of the Structure-Conduct-Performance framework for assessing industry performance will be set out and critiqued.

Game Theory
The importance of oligopolistic structures in modern economies will be demonstrated. Game theory and its contribution to the analysis of oligopoly will be demonstrated

Neoclassical Theories of the Firm
Having already been introduced in Introduction to Ecnonomics, these theories will be reviewed and recent developments explained

Alternative Theories of the Firm
The critiques of neoclassical theories of the firm have led to the development of a number of other theories, some complementary to and others alternative to neoclassical theories. These will be introduced and their application demonstrated

Neoclassical Market Structures
Building on material covered in Introduction to Microeconomics, a critical assessment of market structure theories is undertaken.

Oligopoly
In this part of the module the variations on the basic Cournot oligopoly model will be introduced, and the need for such variations explained

Location
Location, including co-location, is extremely important for industrial development. In this section major theories including those of industrial districts and clusters will be covered

Technological Change and Innovation
The traditional theories of tech change and innovation have been revised in recent years and evolutionary theories, including for example, innovation systems theories, have been introduced. Innovation policy is also discussed, with reference to real-world examples.

Multinational Enterprises and Globalization
The existence and importance of MNEs are fundamental to local and global developments of industries. The relationships between MNEs, globalization and local economic development will be discussed. The discussion considers both global production networks and their impact of the sustainable development of host countries and regions.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Lipczynski, J., Goddard, J., and J. Wilson: 2017, Industrial Organization: Competition, Strategy and Policy, 5th edition, Pearson,
Andreosso, B. and Jacobson, D.: 2005, Industrial Economics and Organisation: A European Perspective., Second, All, McGraw-Hill, UK, 602, 10: 0-07-710422-6
Pepall, L., Richards, D., and G. Norman: 2013, Industrial Organization: Contemporary Theory and Empirical Applications, 5th Edition, Wiley,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None