MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Course Syllabus for Industrial Organization: Applications to Transportation
Authors:	John D. Bitzan
University:	North Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Nov 1995
Report #:	MPC-95-49
Project #:	MPC-061
TRID #:	00715415
Keywords:	case studies, curricula, deregulation, economic efficiency, economics, industry structure, policy, students, theory, transportation

Abstract

A basic understanding of industrial organization is essential for students and practitioners in the field of transportation. Understanding issues related to transportation regulation, transportation firm behavior, and transportation sector performance will contribute to prudent decisionmaking by transportation practitioners. In this project, a syllabus is devised for a course in industrial organization with applications to transportation. The course contains three basic segments: 1) an examination of economic efficiency and the rationale for economic regulation; 2) tools used in the "new" industrial organization literature; and 3) case studies of regulation and deregulation in transportation. Upon completion of the course, students should be equipped to analyze public policy issues related to economic efficiency and the impacts that government policies and/or regulation may have on the transportation industry and consumers; and understand the literature in industrial organization and be able to apply industrial organization theory to transportation.