The teaching unit in labor economics focuses on the study of the functioning of the labor market, with particular attention to the dynamics of labor demand and supply and the management of labor within organizations. The teaching unit is structured in two modules addressing both microeconomic and organizational aspects, providing an overview of the main topics in the field and their role within the study program.
The course aims to provide macroeconomic and microeconomic models of Labour Economics, that may help solve some of the current labour market issues.
Expected learning outcomes (Dublin descriptors):
1. Knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to describe and explain the main theoretical models concerning the behavior of workers, firms, and institutions in wage and employment determination, referring to empirical evidence from industrialized countries, at the end of the lectures and based on the provided materials.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to apply the learned models to solve basic economic problems related to the labor market, during classroom exercises and written assessments.
3. Making judgments: The student will be able to critically analyze and evaluate data and facts concerning the labor market, using the acquired knowledge, during classroom discussions and the exam.
4. Communication skills: The student will be able to clearly and appropriately present labor economics topics, actively participating in classroom debates and demonstrating mastery of specific terminology during the written exam.
5. Learning skills: The student will be able to autonomously integrate the acquired knowledge to study other economic and legal subjects, also by consulting additional materials.
No specific prerequisites are required, but a good understanding of the concepts developed in the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules is recommended for effective learning of the topics covered.
Lectures are held in person and include frontal teaching, guided discussions, and the solving of exercises in mathematical form. Support and accommodations are provided for students with learning disabilities or special needs, according to university procedures. Attendance is not mandatory. The teaching methods are designed to support the achievement of the expected learning outcomes.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Elena Lagomarsino elena.lagomarsino@unige.it, the Department's disability liaison.
The program for the first part of the module covers the first three chapters of the book Manuale di economia del lavoro by Pepi De Caleo and Brucchi Luchino (2015), published by Il Mulino (ISBN: 978-88-15-25906-6). Specifically, the topics covered in the lessons and included in the exam are as follows:
I. Labor Supply
II. Labor Demand
III. Labor Market Equilibrium in Perfect Competition
The second part illustrates how, through Organizational Architecture (OA), a company can find, manage, motivate, and monitor its workforce.
In addition to the course materials provided by the instructor, Chapters 7–8 of Manuale di economia del lavoro by Pepi De Caleo and Brucchi Luchino (2015) can be consulted for further study.
The following textbook is a useful complement to the topics covered in class:
Pepi De Caleo, Brucchi Luchino (2015), Manuale di economia del lavoro, Il Mulino (ISBN: 978-88-15-25906-6)
For the second part of the course, students may also consult:
Brickley, J., Zimmerman, J and Smith, C. (2008), Managerial Economics and Organizational Architecture, McGraw Hill, ISBN-13: 978-0071284806.
Any supplementary or updated materials will be communicated by the instructor during the course.
Brickley, J., Zimmerman, J e Smith, C. (2008), Managerial Economics and Organizational Architecture, McGraw Hill, ISBN-13: 978-0071284806
Ricevimento: CLAUDIO ANTONIO GIUSEPPE PIGA: Claudio A. Piga (claudio.piga@unige.it) Office hours: Tuesday 10:30-12:30 (on Teams or, by appointment, in the office at DIEC). During the semester in which the teaching unit is held: Monday 16:00-17:00 Tuesday 12:00-12:30 By appointment, via email claudio.piga@unige.it
Ricevimento: By appointment, send an e-mail to guerrazzi@economia.unige.it
MARCO GUERRAZZI (President)
CLAUDIO ANTONIO GIUSEPPE PIGA (President)
Lectures will start in the second semester. The detailed schedule is available on EasyAcademy: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
For attending students, two optional mid-term written assessments are scheduled at the end of each part of the module. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass each assessment. For official exam sessions, candidates must respond in writing to open-ended questions covering the entire program of the module. Non-attending students take the final written exam on the entire program. Any specific arrangements for Erasmus students will be communicated by the teacher
The assessment of learning outcomes is carried out through a written exam, which evaluates the ability to apply theoretical models to practical problems, the correct use of terminology, clarity of exposition, and critical analysis skills. Students should consult EasyAcademy for details on exam dates.
Please contact the teacher for further information not included in the teaching unit description.
