AY 2006-2007/Sem-2/Economics of Information Technology
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Instructor
Dr. Krishna Jayakar
Visiting Associate Professor, IIITM-K
Associate Professor, Department of Telecommunications,Pennsylvania State University, USA
Course
About
This course deals with the microeconomic aspects of the information technology and telecommunications industries. We will examine the theories and principles pertaining to industry structure, pricing, standardization, intellectual property, competitive strategy, and regulation, as they apply to these industries. The course is organized on the seminar format. Though I will take the lead in presenting a number of topics, you too are expected to participate actively in class. The objective is to encourage participatory learning through discussion and creative criticism. Since the class covers a broad range of theories, topics and methodological approaches, we may not be able to devote much time to the intricacies of any one topic. However, you will have an opportunity to delve deeper into topics of interest to you through a full-length research paper, which forms an integral part of the seminar.
Schedule
Evaluation
Evaluations will be based on weekly reaction papers (10%), and a research paper proposal (20%); in-class presentation (20%) and final paper (50%).
Weekly reaction papers: To ensure productive discussion of each week’s readings, you are expected to come well prepared with the assigned readings. To encourage you to engage more fully with the topics, I want you to turn in a two-page summary/critique of the readings for each week. You may send these by e-mail to me. To give me an opportunity to read your comments and address any questions in class if necessary, I expect that you would upload these assignments well in time, preferably by 9 pm of the Wednesday before each class.
Research paper: The principal outcome of your participation in this seminar will be a full-length individual research paper on a topic of your own choice, selected after consultation with me. The paper could be a self-contained journal-article length paper, OR a proposal for a larger study (such as a thesis, business plan or industry report) on which you intend to continue work. This will be accomplished through a sequence of graded activities:
(1) Proposal: A 5-page proposal identifying a topic or issue relating to the economic, business or financial aspect of the telecommunications or information technology industries will be due at the beginning of class on March 16. The proposal should clearly state the research questions that would motivate the paper, present a preliminary review of the existing literature, discuss relevant theories and methodologies, and identify potential sources of data. The proposal would be worth 20% of your course grade.
(2) Final report: The full-length paper is due on April 20. In this paper, you will systematically collect, analyze and present information about your chosen topic. You may want to consult a wide variety of sources for information, including research papers, newspaper reports, magazine and trade publication articles, etc. All sources of information should be clearly labeled in the text, and cited in a reference list at the end of the document according to an accepted citation style such as APA or MLA. Your paper is worth 50% of your overall course grade.
(3) In-class presentation: The third stage is feedback. For this, you will present your main findings in front of the class on April 27. Class presentations will be in alphabetical order, by last name. The feedback stage will account for 20% of your overall score.
Readings
Two books will be used extensively for this class:
- Shy, O. (2001). The economics of network industries. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
- Varian, H., Farrell, J., & Shapiro, C. (2004). The economics of information technology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Both books are on order at the IIITMK Library, and should be available within the next few days. In addition, I have used a number of articles from scholarly journals. Paper copies will be made available at the library, and PDF versions some papers online through the IIITMK course management system. [PDF versions of all papers cannot be made available online due to copyright restrictions.]
Contact Details
- krishnajayakar@hotmail.com
- kpj1_AT_psu_DOT_edu
