Ateneo - UPO

The course examines the relationship between institutions and market functioning, highlighting the contribution of applied economics in supporting policymakers in improving market competitiveness. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of the Judicial Institution and the technical efficiency of its operational units (i), as well as the impact of judicial efficiency on firm dynamics such as access to capital markets, internationalization, and innovation (ii).
Through the analysis of case studies drawn from the academic literature and guided research‑design activities, students will acquire the conceptual and methodological tools needed to understand and design applied empirical studies in economics.

Modern Industrial Organization - 3/ed Dennis W. Carlton e Jeffrey M. Perloff, Mcgraw-hill
Scientific articles.

The course has the following mission: to develop students’ ability to critically read applied economics articles (i); to understand how institutions shape firms’ behaviour and the strategic decisions they adopt (ii); to provide methodological tools for designing an empirical study, from the formulation of the research question to the interpretation of results (iii); to enable students to connect empirical findings to managerial and policy implications (iv); to strengthen students’ communication skills by enhancing their ability to identify and convey key messages to relevant stakeholders (v); and to improve students’ learning abilities by offering relevant literature and case studies that reflect the current landscape of the European market (vi).

The course does not require any specific background or prior specialized knowledge, apart from basic concepts in Microeconomics and Econometrics, particularly familiarity with linear regressions and the interpretation of coefficients.

The course is interactive and requires active participation in class discussions as an integral part of the learning process. Specifically, the course includes: lectures delivered by the instructor (i); guided discussion of academic articles (ii); student presentations (iii); applied research design activities (iv); collective discussions and group work (v). The course also includes seminars with external scholars, who will present on topics relevant to the course.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the "Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti", consulting the University webpage: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa . Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

For attending students, the assessment will consist of:
- a group presentation of a scientific article and active participation in classroom discussions (during the course);
- two midterm assessments (model-based exercises and a final written assignment in the form of a research proposal for an applied study).

For non-attending students, the assessment will consist of:
- a single examination (model-based exercises and a final written assignment in the form of a research proposal for an applied study);
- an oral examination covering the topics addressed during the course.

Part I: Market Structures, Institutions, and Economic Development (market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, and oligopoly; definition and role of institutions; indicators and measures of institutional quality and efficiency; transmission mechanisms between institutions and market outcomes; basic empirical evidence on institutions and economic performance; case studies and applications).

Part II: The Judiciary as an Economic Institution (judicial efficiency in civil justice; duration of proceedings and contract enforcement; indicators and measures of judicial performance; case studies and applications), Estimating Judicial Efficiency (data sources, administrative records, surveys, institutional indicators, empirical strategies, identification challenges and limitations, case studies and applications), Judicial Efficiency and Firms’ Decisions (access to credit, Investment behavior, Internationalization strategies, organizational choices and location decisions, case studies and applications).

Part III: From Literature to Research Design and Interpretation (how a research question emerges from gaps in the literature or institutional variation, construction of the empirical design, choice of data and econometric model), Interpreting Results (economic significance vs statistical significance, limitations and robustness, policy and managerial implications).

At the end of the course, students will be able to: critically interpret empirical studies in applied economics (i); understand the role of institutions in shaping market functioning (ii); design a coherent and methodologically sound applied study (iii); and link empirical findings to managerial and policy decisions (iv).