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Microeconomics of Innovation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:14
Abstract
Institutions and incentives for innovative activity in the private and public sector
Objective
In this course we learn why and how institutions provide incentives for innovative activity. We study basic models of ideas, and how market structure, globalization and intelectual property rights impact on the innovative activity of competing firms. We establish the proper balance between competition and patent law. Finally, we apply our knowledge to evaluate current intellectual property right issues.
Content
1 Introduction 2 Types of innovations 3 The economics of ideas 4 Intelectual property rights 5 Alternative institutions for innovations 6 Incentives for cumulative innovations 7 Market structure and innovation 8 Innovation in the global economy 9 Recent discussions in intelectual property rights regimes 10 Towards new institutions for innovations: Open Source
Resources
Literature
Core literature: 1. S. Scotchmer (2004): Innovation and Incentives. MIT Press, Cambridge MA. 2. J. Tirole (1988): The Theory of Industrial Organization. MIT Press, Camdride MA: chapter 10. 3. J. Lerner and J. Tirole (2002): Some simple economics of open source. Journal of Industrial Economics (2): 197-234. Additional literature: 4. M. Kremer (1998): Patent buyouts: a mechanism for rncouraging innovation. Quarterly Journal of Economics (113): 1137-67. 5. Y.-K. Che and I. Gale (2003): Optimal design of research contests. American Economic Review (93): 646-71. 6. J.F. Reinganum (1983): Persistence of monopoly power. American Economic Review (73): 741-8. References: 7. J.A. Schumpeter (1942): Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy. Harper & Row. New York. 8. G. Zaltman, R. Duncan and J. Holbeck (1973): Innovation and Organisations. Wiley. New York. 9. E. Mansfield (1998): Academic research and industrial innovation: an update of empricial findings. Research Policy (25): 773-6. 10. European Innovation Scoreboard (2005). Download from http://trendchart.cordis.lu/scoreboards/scoreboard2005/pdf/EIS%202005.pdf
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- keine.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Microeconomics of Innovation
Voraussetzung: besuchte Lerneinheit 351-0551-00L Introduction to Economics
|
|
2 h weekly |