Economics

The course reviews agglomeration and clustering of economic activities from both geographical and urban economics disciplinary perspectives, in relation to cluster and urban economic policy. The course explains the current innovative and knowledge economy of firms and policymaking in relation to urban competitiveness. The geographical discipline focuses on clusters, network formation and industry evolution using institutional theories in which the actor-approach of firms and governments is central. Urban economics traditionally focuses on the role of externalities and urban contexts as attractions for firm and population location decisions and the growth and innovation potentials of firms in a more quantitative sense. Both disciplines heavily lean on empirical research, using complementary research methods like case-study research, surveys, spatial econometrics and general equilibrium modelling. Those methods are explained in the course in relation to current issues and empirical research on urban development. Much attention is given to regional and urban economic policy issues. Participants apply the theoretical and empirical insights from the lectures in an actual case study of urban policy in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The goals of this course are to (i) acquire a structured insight into the important role of the state in modern market economies, (ii) learn about the functioning and performance of the state and its interactions with markets, and (iii) understand and critically reflect upon recent developments and discussions concerning issues of the public sector like inequality, taxation, or climate protection. The topics include (i) taxation, redistribution, inequality, poverty, and fairness, (ii) market failures such as incomplete information, public goods, and externalities, as well as (iii) political decision-making and elections. These topics are analyzed from a normative (welfare economic) as well as from a positive (explanatory) perspective, with emphasis on the relevance and limitation of traditional economic theory.

This is a graduate level course that is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course offers an overview of: how health economics theory and methods can be applied to understand the challenges facing health systems in low and middle income countries; the patterns and key issues of health systems and policies in developing countries, with an emphasis on critical assessment of current and future policy options. By the end of the course students are expected to be able to: appreciate the relevance of applying health economics methods in low and middle-income countries; assess alternative methods of raising revenue to fund health systems in low and middle-income countries; assess equity of access to health services and how health system can identify and respond to health inequities; assess policy options to improve health systems performance in low and middle-income countries; adopt a systematic view of health and health systems in developing countries, and develop independent thinking on future perspective regarding health sector reforms. Topics covered: the outlook of LMICs and overview of their health systems; assessing the performance of health systems in LMICs; identify key areas of debate that remain unresolved; the relationship between health and development: how much does disease depress development in human capital and income around the world?; effects of childhood health on adult income; effects of adult health on adult productivity; reverse causality; macroeconomic implications; health behavior and demand of health in LMICs; health disparities and policy interventions; access to Health Care in LMICs: supply side; the role of governments and budget allocations; international organizations; the quality of medical care as a function of competences and practices of providers; policy interventions; parental inputs, parental time, transmission, and children's health.

The course provides fundamental training in the following perspectives: Basic models of labor supply, labor demand, and labor market operation; research questions concerning labor economics; empirical strategies commonly applied in labor economics research; and features of the labor market in Taiwan. Text: Joshua D. Angrist and Jörn-Steffen Pischke, MASTERING METRICS: THE PATH FROM CAUSE TO EFFECT. Assessment: assignments/presentation (30%), midterm exam (30%), final exam (40%).

The course provides an economic analysis of problems and challenges found in business and other organizational settings. It examines the concept of asymmetric information and its implications for business organization as well as the concepts of vertical integration. Other topics covered in the course include: selection, asymmetric information, adverse selection, signaling, and screening; explicit incentives, optimal compensation contracts and the trade-off between incentives and insurance; implicit incentives and organization; vertical boundaries, contracting costs and the limits of contracts, benefits of external suppliers and distributors.

This course examines international trade systems; international trade targets; international trade logistics; storage and transportation; shipping finance; international trade payment; international trade financing; bulk commodity trade; construction of free trade zone and internationalization of people's currency.

This course covers the main functions and theories of government finance. It examines the basic theory of finance (introduction, public goods, and externalities) and analyzes fiscal expenditure. It explores taxation theory and systems, government budget and public choice, future public policies and public affairs, and government financial relationship and economic behavior.