MG4A8 Half Unit
Strategy for the Information Economy
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Jörn Rothe, MAR.6.13
Availability
This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MSc in Economics and Management and MSc in Management and Strategy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).
Pre-requisites
Basic knowledge of economics.
Course content
The internet has created many new market opportunities. Web-based technology allows for new kinds of products and market interactions. Understanding the design and functioning of these new markets is central for business strategy. This course develops the relevant economic principles and applies them to the formulation of strategies for the provision of information goods and the competition between online market platforms.
The course examines the strategic aspects of the provision of information goods (such as news, music, software, search results) and strategic competition in platform markets. Topics include the pricing of information goods, versioning and bundling, switching costs and network effects. The course provides a theoretical framework and relates theory to examples and case studies.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the AT. 2 hours of lectures in the ST.
Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with Departmental policy.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative coursework
Two exercise sets.
Indicative reading
Hal R. Varian: Intermediate Microeconomics, W.W.Norton, 2014 (selected chapters); Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian: Information Rules, HBS Press, 1999 (selected chapters). A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the spring exam period.
Key facts
Department: Management
Total students 2023/24: 33
Average class size 2023/24: 15
Controlled access 2023/24: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Commercial awareness
- Specialist skills