LEARNING OUTCOMES

Lectures deal with the main characteristics of the service sector: the intensity of knowledge and capital, the role of innovation, scale economies and positive feedback along with the structure of the supply side. 

The course will discuss the growing importance of the sevice sector for most of the developed economies.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will be introduced to the main economic features of the service sector and its relevance in the developed economies.

At the end of the course students will be able to understand how the changes in the production system impact on society, wealth creation and income distribution.

TEACHING METHODS

During the first semester, due to the Corona-virus emergency, the course will be held via e-learning platforms aulaweb and teams.

At present, in the second semester the course will be held as usual with traditional lessons and seminars.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures will discuss:

- how to evaluate public services

- public goods and common goods

- the formation of social externalities 

- evolution of the production processes in the service sector

- pricing strategies and revenue management

- bundling

- technological unemployment

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students may choose one of the following books:

- J.O. Jansson, The Economics of Services, 2nd Edition, Edward Elgar, 2013 (first two parts to obtain 6 CFU, all chapters to obtain 12 CFU)

- J. Bryson, P. Daniel, B. Warf (2004) Service worlds: People, Organizations and Technologies, Routledge (first 6 chapters in order to obtain 6 CFU; all chapters to obtain 12 CFU)