Upper Sixth Homework : EU vs INTEL

Dear Upper Sixth

I am now officially a scab : I should be withdrawing my labour today in support of the public sector workers' strike, yet here I am setting you those questions to do for homework.

Due : Thursday 1/12

So, here are the questions:

1. Explain why technology heavyweights end up dominant in their industries
2. From the example, describe a network effect.  Is it an innocent or deliberate barrier to entry?
3. To what extent is discounting anti-competitive?
4. Do you agree with the EU's decision to fine INTEL.  If so, should the fine have been so large?

Right, back to my strike action

Sweezy's Kinked Demand Curve rap featuring MC Curve

As Ignatian Economics expands its global media empire, we are pleased to announce our first signing of an upcoming urban artist, MC Curve........

Collusion and Game Theory

As we all know Economics can explain everything in the world.  Here are some great examples of how game theory and collusion are illustrated by some movie scenes and in Goldenballs

The Dark Knight

A Beautiful Mind

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Goldenballs

U6 HW : Characteristics of Oligopoly

Dear Upper Sixth

There is only one HW this week, so this should be done by either next Monday (group in R25) or next Tuesday (group in R26)

Watch the video above.

1)Explain how T*sco gained its second mover advantage in South Korea (success criteria : uses key terminology such as barriers to entry ; is specific to supermarket retailing ; possibly uses game theory)

2)Use their website to list ways T*sco use non-price competition to win market share (just a list)

3)Using the characteristics, explain why Supermarket retailing is an oligopoly. (success criteria : matches each of the six characteristics to supermarket retailing)

Right, that's me off to go out and enjoy a bike ride.  I'd hate to be stuck at home hunched over a computer doing my homework and having to watch videos about that supermarket.

Upper Sixth Homework : Barriers to Entry and Business Class Airlines

HW due 20/9/11

Use the two links below to find out about Skyline.

Research another business class airline which has failed.

To what extent was the failure of business class airlines because of barriers to entry in the industry.

Criteria : One side ; evaluation in every paragraph ; minimum two barriers to entry considered

google.co.uk

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7453108.stm

Game Theory

Forecasting human behaviour: A practical use for game theory | The Economist:

'via Blog this'

Is Google the new Microsoft?

Hereunder is an example of how Google is facing more and more pressure about being the perceived one and only search engine.

BBC News - Antitrust regulators raid Google offices in South Korea:

Upper Sixth Homework : Debate Prep

The debate's title is:

This house believes that pharmaceutical companies should not be able to patent new drugs

Please arrive to the lesson with at least two sides of notes of valid points and valid examples that you have written.  You will not be told which side you will argue on until the start of the lesson.

Links to some articles to start you off on a previous post here

IFA: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 vanishes from IFA booth - YouTube

IFA: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 vanishes from IFA booth - YouTube:

'via Blog this'

Upper Sixth Homework : Private Public Partnership and Private Finance Initiatives

Stephen Taylor - you an stop clicking that refresh button, here is the homework for the class:

Research PPP and PFI using NHS hospitals and the running of tube lines as case studies.

Produce a table, which has pros on one side and cons on the other.  One side of A4 in length minimum.  Also note any queries that you have.

To start you off, here are three articles I have found using Google.  Try using the time-line as a tool and also use the site specific searches (eg : "tubelines site:guardian.co.uk" returns only articles from The Guardian).

Invest at least one hour of your time on this.  I thank you.  Due : Tuesday 7th December

The pros and cons of PFI hospitals - Telegraph

http://www.economist.com/node/11920719

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/18/tube-ppp-upgrade-london-underground

Upper Sixth Homework - Competition Policy

1.Give three reasons why markets should work well

2.Examine the barriers to entry which prevented competition in the Ferry passenger market

3.Detail two ways a monopoly can become complacent

4.Using the case material, explain how the OFT can judge if prices are artificially too high

5.Explain how a lack of Wi Fi on board suggest a degree of monopoly power

6.Evaluate the likely effectiveness of transparent prices in detering abuse of monopoly power in this industry

7. Edward only : Using another example of a recent OFT investigation, assess the effectiveness of the OFT in making markets work well

Upper Sixth Homework - Game Theory

Economics - Game Theory

1. Follow the link above
2. Read one of the articles on Game Theory
3. Handwrite (write using either your left or right hand or both, not using cut and paste commands on your computer) half a side of notes summarising this article
4. Jot down some questions you have about Game Theory

I thank you

Monopsony Note-taking Homework

As requested by Stephen, here are the questions, which need to be answered by period 3 tomorrow:

•Explain how supermarkets can assert monopsony power over suppliers of milk and meat

•To what extent will a voluntary code of practice reduce excessive buyer power in the grocery market?

•Examine the reasons why local authorities are able to operate as a monopsony in the care home market

•For both cases, analyse how monopsony power works against the interests of the suppliers and final consumers

Upper sixth Homework - Barriers to Exit & Efficiency

We can finish the diagrams in Friday's lesson.  Now that it is back on!

Read pages 36 to 38 in your 'Nutters'

1. describe the exit barriers which exist in the nuclear power industry
2. in what ways are monopolies inefficient

By : Tuesday 5th October 2010

I thank you

Innovation using the Wisdom of Crowds

Rules of the Road - Local Motors

Wikinomics is the future, people.

This company is genius - designers and engineers collaborate to make custom cars presumably for the rich. And the cars look fit for Batman, who as we all know is the ultimate superhero.

For those thinking of studying Economics beyond A level, this is classic Schumpterian creative destruction

Rules of the Road - Local Motors

Some articles worth reading for debate prep

Articles on patents and drug companies

The very visible hand | The Economist

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2007/08/price_power

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/drug-firms-collaboration-pools-hiv-treatments-1814018.html

Lower Sixth Investigation into the Role of The Competition Commission

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe an example of a recent investigation undertaken by the Competition Commission

• Explain two reasons why CC was involved. One reason should include some evaluation (your judgement - should they have been involved?

• Briefly explain the outcome of the investigation

• Answer in full the following question : to what extent did your investigated business erode consumer welfare

• Develop skills in blogging and working in teams

Mergers

Kieran has asked about mergers and integration.

Vertical integration : two companies at the different stages of production. E.G : car manufacturer buying steel company or IBM (maufacturer of computers) buying Microsoft.

Horizontal integration : two companies at same stage of production eg : Apple buying Microsoft; ie complementary goods

Conglomerate : un-related industries.

For defintions, I always use The Economist:

http://www.economist.com/research/economics/searchActionTerms.cfm?query=integration

The Economics of Cloud Computing

In this article here a good mix of microeconomics and macroeconomics.  It is argued that cloud computing reduces barriers to entry by making a firm's IT costs variable, not fixed.  It has the potential to create a million new jobs in Europe if the infrastructure (policy and broadband) are in place