The course aims to analyse the relationship between two forms of economic organisation: the market and the enterprise (as a supra-individual organisation). Finally, it analyses the relationship between enterprise and technological progress.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of microeconomics and mathematical analysis
Teaching Methods
frontal lessons
Assessment Methods
Written examination of 2 hours (three open questions) with possibility of supplementary oral examination for those who have a vote ≥ 26/30.
Texts
Bibliographic references will be given during the course and the course material can be found on the Kiro platform: https://elearning.unipv.it/course/view.php?id=69 For Part II of the course, it may be useful to consult: A. Fumagalli, Valore, Moneta, Tecnologia. Capitalism and economic science, DeriveApprodi, 2021, ch. 4: pp. 153-218
Contents
Part I: The economic theory of the firm 1 Introduction to the course. 2 The nature of the firm according to Coase and its relationship with the market 3 The Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) approach 4 Critics of the SCP approach: the Dasgupta-Stiglitz model 5 Critics of the SCP approach: the contestable markets model 6 Business management theories: the static and dynamic model of Baumol. 7 Business management theories: Williamson's model of managerial discretion 8 Business management theories: the Marris model 9 The firm as a market agent in the presence of incomplete contracts: the contribution of Alchian-Demsetz 10 The firm as a market agent in the presence of incomplete contracts: the contribution of Grossman-Hart-Moore 11 The firm as a complex organization: Williamson's approach Part II Theories of technological progress and knowledge 12 The neoclassical approach to technological diffusion, starting from the Hicks taxonomy 13 An introduction to the neo-Schumpeterian approach to the firm 14 From J. A. Schumpeter's theory of economic growth to C. Freeman's analysis 15 The evolutionary theory of firm: the cognitive theory of H. Simon 16 Between history and economy: technological diffusion and the concept of technological paradigm 17 The evolutionary theory of firm and the model of Nelson-Winter 18 The hypothesis of cognitive capitalism 19 Knowledge, economics of learning and networking 20 The passage from the Fordist-Keynesian paradigm to that of cognitive capitalism 21 The hypothesis of cognitive capitalism 22 Role and function of knowledge: towards a taxonomy of knowledge.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students enrolled in the Inclusive Learning Modalities programme (“Modalità didattiche inclusive) are requested to contact the Professor and the Degree Course Coordinator in order to assess specific needs and define targeted support actions
