Designing the Digital Economy

Catalog description

This class analyzes the economics of e-commerce and technology. It will identify the critical features that differentiate the technology firms from traditional industries, and examine the implications for business strategy. The class will discuss topics such as network effects, switching costs, and platform markets. To complement the economic theory, we will also consider a case study of a fi rm each week. These have three aims: to provide applications for the concepts developed in the lectures; to inform you about different industries; and to help develop your written, rhetorical and presentation skills. Prerequisites: ( 21-269 or 21-259 or 21-268 or 21-254 or 21-256 ) and 73-230 and ( 36-226 or 73-274 or 73-407 or 36-202 or 36-220 or 73-374 or 73-265 or 36-208 or 70-208 )