| Module Identifier |
EC31410 |
| Module Title |
ECONOMICS AND ORGANISATIONS |
| Academic Year |
2002/2003 |
| Co-ordinator |
Mr Dennis A Thomas |
| Semester |
Semester 1 |
| Pre-Requisite |
EC36420 or, EC30230 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 10 Hours |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 4 Hours |
| Assessment |
Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours | 100% |
| |
Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours | 100% |
Learning outcomes
On completing this module students will have gained an understanding of the following topics:
· the role of markets and firms as alternative coordinating mechanisms
· transaction cost economics
· the determination of firm boundaries with respect to diversified and vertically integrated activities
· principal-agent theory and incentive contracts
· alternative explanations of firm motivation and behaviour
Aims
This third year module investigates economic explanations of the nature of firms, their organisational form and the scope of their activities. It employs transaction cost economizing to explain the circumstances in which the firm is superior to other forms of organisation, and extends the analysis to examine firm growth and development and the determination of firm boundaries. The module also examines the internal organisation and motivation of firms, with particular regard to decision-making and the control problems that may occur within firms.
Reading Lists
Books
D Besanko, D Dranove and M Shanley. (2000)
Economics of Strategy. 2nd edition. Wiley
S Douma and H Schreuder. (1998)
Economic Approaches to Organisations. 2nd. Prentice Hall
P Milgrom and J Roberts. (1992)
Economics, Organisation and Management. Prentice Hall International