PLG20 - ECONOMICS OF DIGITAL GOODS AND ON-LINE MARKETS

courses
ID:
PLG20
Duration (hours):
36
CFU:
6
SSD:
ECONOMIA POLITICA
Located in:
PESCARA
Url:
DIGITAL MARKETING/CORSO GENERICO Year: 2
Year:
2025
Course Catalogue:
https://unich.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2025?co...

Overview

Date/time interval

Primo Quadrimestre (16/09/2025 - 20/12/2025)

Syllabus

Course Objectives


The objective of the course is to provide students with a set of notions of Industrial Economics regarding the functioning of digital goods markets and markets in which traditional goods are sold electronically. In these markets, the strategic behavior of firms must consider the specific characteristics that differentiate them from traditional markets in which tangible goods are sold through traditional distribution channels. This objective is part of the degree course aimed at training business managers with the necessary knowledge to operate in the context of the 'new economy'.



EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will learn to recognize and exploit in a strategic way the economic dynamics that characterize the markets of the 'new economy'. In particular, they will be led to understand the link that exists between the technologies of production and distribution of goods and services, on the one hand, and the competitive mechanisms that these generate in the markets for digital goods and online markets.




Course Prerequisites


Although no prerequisites are required, an exam of Microeconomics is recommended, not less that 6 cfu's, covering fundamental topics such as perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly.




Teaching Methods


The course consists of thirty-six hours of frontal teaching, divided into two-hour lessons each. The lessons focus on the contents of the textbook, to which they are the accompaniment.

Attendance is optional, although recommended, and the final exam will obviously be the same for attending and non-attending students.




Assessment Methods


The assessment of learning takes place through an oral exam.

The examination procedures are the same for attending and non-attending students.




Texts


1. Capitolo 34 di ‘Microeconomia’, di Hal Varian, Càfoscarina, 2013.

2. Varian, H. e Shapiro, C. ‘Information rules: le regole dell’economia dell’informazione’;




Contents


This course is devoted to the study of the functioning of digital goods markets and online markets for traditional goods. Digital goods, also known as information goods, are subject to different economic laws from those of tangible goods, just as the online sale of traditional goods and services is subject to its own imperfections and rules. This course studies the strategic behavior of firms operating in such markets, focusing on the following topics:

1. Economies of scale in the production and consumption (network externalities) of digital goods and services;

2. Competition between service networks;

3. Information asymmetries in electronic commerce, the role of reputation.

4. Competition of price and dual market: consumers 'shoppers' and consumers 'aficionados'.

5. Price discrimination and 'bundling' of digital goods

6. Centrality and visibility in electronic commerce

7. Search costs and price dispersion in e-commerce




Course Language


Italian


More information


All course information, teaching material and communications will take place over the e-learning platform.




Degrees

Degrees

DIGITAL MARKETING 
Master’s Degree
2 years
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