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Information Economics

Code: 102339 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2501572 Business Administration and Management OT 4
2501573 Economics OT 3
2501573 Economics OT 4
2504216 Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OT 3
2504216 Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OT 4

Contact

Name:
Ines Macho Stadler
Email:
ines.macho@uab.cat

Teachers

Jesus David Perez Castrillo

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

Although not mandatory, it is advisable to have a good level of mathematics and microeconomics, as we will use tools of these disciplines.


Objectives and Contextualisation

To acquire the basic tools of the Economics of Information, a discipline that allows studying the effects that the existence of asymmetric information has on the terms of contracts.

To present the models of moral hazard, adverse selection and signaling, to explain the terms of the contracts in different situations, in particular depending on who has more information and how this agent may try to capitalize on it.

To develop tools of economic analysis as well as economic intuitions to understand the design of contracts and regulatory mechanisms.


Competences

    Economics
  • Analyse situation in which there is unequal information between the two sides involved.
  • Capacity for adapting to changing environments.
  • Demonstrate initiative and work individually when the situation requires it.
  • Formulate recommendations of economic policy that improve efficiency and equity in market operations.
  • Identify the processes that govern the operation of markets in different competition systems, different scenarios of interrelationship and different timescales.
  • Organise the work in terms of good time management, organisation and planning.
  • Select and generate the information necessary for each problem, analyse it and take decisions based on that information.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  • Take decisions in situations of uncertainty, demonstrating an entrepreneurial and innovative attitude.
    Contemporary History, Politics and Economics
  • Assess the social, economic and environmental impact when acting in this field of knowledge.
  • Distinguish between and analyse the type of relations that have been established over the last century among the different social, political and economic agents on national, regional and international frameworks.
  • Identify the fundamental analytical principles in international economics, globalisation of market and processes of economic integration.
  • Identify the main actors, structure and functioning of political systems in the internal and international sphere from a theoretical or applied perspective.
  • Innovate in the methods and processes of this area of knowledge in response to the needs and wishes of society.
  • Manage and apply data to solve problems.
  • Recognise the basic foundations of economic analysis from both a microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Work cooperatively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams implementing new projects.

Learning Outcomes

  1. A capacity of oral and written communication in Catalan, Spanish and English, which allows them to summarise and present the work conducted both orally and in writing.
  2. Analyse the distribution of costs in view of the implementation of a new shared service.
  3. Analyse the operating conditions of markets and other forms of social interaction.
  4. Analyse the strategic interactions between participants and the effects of their actions on third-party decisions.
  5. Apply the game theory to economic and business decisions.
  6. Apply the game theory to the case of agents in a negotiation, in auctions and in macroeconomic matters.
  7. Assess the consequences of changing a particular representation system for another.
  8. Assess the different proposals of implementing public goods in terms of social welfare.
  9. Capacity to adapt to changing environments.
  10. Communicating in oral and written form in Catalan, Spanish and English, in order to be able to summarise and present the carried out project in both forms.
  11. Consider formal models which can be used to study situations with information asymmetry between the parts.
  12. Demonstrate capacity to adapt to changing environments.
  13. Demonstrate initiative and work independently when required.
  14. Demonstrate motivation regarding the quality of the work performed and sensitivity regarding the consequences on the environment and society.
  15. Identify the basic elements that characterise the organisation of a market.
  16. Identify the conditions and processes that generate externalities as well as the problems posed by public goods.
  17. Identify the consequences of the existence of information asymmetry among different economic agents on the way in which these organise themselves and on the efficiency of the relationship they establish.
  18. Make decisions in situations of uncertainty and show an enterprising and innovative spirit.
  19. Organise work in relation to good time management and planning.
  20. Organise work, in terms of good time management and organisation and planning.
  21. Propose the optimum design of the institutions regulating the markets and of its equipment.
  22. Select and generate the information necessary for each problem, analyse it and take decisions based on that information.
  23. Solve the models formulated to obtain empirically stable predictions.
  24. Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  25. Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  26. Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  27. Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  28. Understand the different voting systems and the consequences of each of these.
  29. Use basic optimisation tools and the game theory, and include these elements in a theoretical model.
  30. Use of the available information technology and adaptation to new technological environments.
  31. Value ethical commitment in professional practice.
  32. Work cooperatively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams implementing new projects.

Content

 

1. INTRODUCTION

1.a. Introduction

1.b. Elements of the problem

1.c. Timing of the relationship

1.d. Typology of asymmetric information problems

* Moral Hazard

* Adverse Selection

* Signaling

 

2.  CONCEPTS THAT WILL USE

(REVIEW AND/OR EXPOSITION FOR OUR COURSE PURPOSES)

2.a. Expected utility and expected value

2.b. Sequential Equilibrium (sub-game perfection)

2.c. Maximization methods

 

3. THE BASIC MODEL

3.a. introduction

3.b. Model description

3.c. The symmetric information contracts

* The optimal payment mechanism

* The level of effort training

 

4. THE MORAL HAZARD PROBLEM

4.a. Introduction

4.b. The two efforts case

4.c. Consequences for the contract of the presence of moral hazard

4.d. Extensions

Exercises, applications and examples

 

5. ADVERSE SELECTION PROBLEM

5.a. Introduction

5.b. Case of two types

5.c. Consequences for the contract of the existence of adverse selection

Exercises, applications and examples

 

6. SIGNALLING

6.a. Introduction

6.b. The value of private information and signaling

6.c. The informative power of contracts

Exercises, applications and examples


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures (theory) 32.5 1.3 3, 15, 16, 17, 11, 21, 23, 29
Lectures Discussion and exercises. Presentation of applications to specific cases. 17 0.68 3, 9, 15, 16, 17, 11, 21, 23, 29
Type: Supervised      
Mentoring and monitoring the work done. 42 1.68 9, 1, 17, 13, 20, 11, 18, 23, 29
Type: Autonomous      
Studying. Further reading. Search documentation. Preparation of exercises and applications.. 45 1.8 3, 9, 1, 15, 16, 17, 13, 20, 11, 18, 21, 23, 29

The proposed teaching methodology may undergo some modifications according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses.

If this is possible, the course combines theoretical and applied classes.

The first will be devoted to the presentation of models of contracts under asymmetric information and the resolution of these models to obtain general conclusions applicable to the study of specific problems. The second type of session will be devoted to analyze examples and discuss the application to different real problems of the theoretical conclusions and their implications. In these sessions, students must participate in solving exercises and discussing the proposed topics.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Final exam. 50% 2 0.08 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 1, 12, 13, 28, 15, 16, 17, 14, 19, 20, 11, 18, 21, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 10, 32, 29, 30, 31, 7, 8
Midterm exams. 35% 1.5 0.06 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 1, 12, 13, 28, 15, 16, 17, 14, 19, 20, 11, 18, 21, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 10, 32, 29, 30, 31, 7, 8
Probelm set to handle, Exercises in class, participation in class and discussion of topics. 15% 10 0.4 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 1, 12, 13, 28, 15, 16, 17, 14, 19, 20, 11, 18, 21, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 10, 32, 29, 30, 31, 7, 8

1. Continuous evaluation

The evaluation will consist of class participation, a midterm exam, and a final exam. Class participation includes answering the lists of exercises and participating in the discussion topics. The weight of each of the above items in the calculation of the final grade is as follows: Final exam 50%, 35% the midterm exam, 15% for participation, exercises, and other work.

 

Calendar of evaluation activities

The dates of the evaluation activities (midterm exams, exercises in the classroom, assignments, ...) will be announced well in advance during the semester.

The date of the final exam is scheduled in the assessment calendar of the Faculty.

"The dates of evaluation activities cannot be modified, unless there is an exceptional and duly justified reason why an evaluation activity cannot be carried out. In this case, the degree coordinator will contact both the teaching staff and the affected student, and a new date will be scheduled within the same academic period to make up for the missed evaluation activity." Section 1 of Article 264. Calendar of evaluation activities (Academic Regulations UAB). 

Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, who in accordance with the previous paragraph need to change an evaluation activity date must process the request by filling out an Application for exams' reschedule: e-Formulari per a la reprogramació de proves.

Grade revision process

After all grading activities have ended, students will be informed of the date and way in which the course grades will be published. Students will be also be informed of the procedure, place, date and time of grade revision following University regulations.

Retake Process

"To be eligible to participate in the retake process, it is required for students to have been previously been evaluated for at least two thirds of the total evaluation activities of the subject." Section 2 of Article 261. The recovery (UAB Academic Regulations). Additionally, it is required that the student to have achieved an average grade of the subject greater than or equal to 3.5 and less than 5.

The date of the retake exam will be posted in the calendar of evaluation activities of the Faculty. Students who take this exam and pass, will get a grade of 5 for the subject. If the student does not pass the retake, the grade will remain unchanged, and hence, student will fail the course.

Irregularities in evaluation activities

In spite of other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, "in the case that the student makes any irregularity that could lead to a significant variation in the grade of an evaluation activity, it will be graded with a 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that can be instructed. In case of various irregularities occur in the evaluation of the same subject, the final grade of this subject will be 0". Section 11 of Article 266. Results of the evaluation. (UAB Academic Regulations).

 

2 COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION:

By requesting the comprehensive evaluation the student waives the option of continuous evaluation.

The comprehensive  evaluation must be requested at the Academic Management (Gestió acadèmica) of the Campus where the degree/master's degree is taught. The request must be filed according to the procedure and the deadline  established by the administrative calendar of the Faculty of Economics and Business.

Attendance :

  • Student  attendance  is mandatory on the day of the comprehensive assessment. The date will be the same as that of the final exam of the semester as per the evaluation calendar published by the Faculty of Economics and Business and approved by the Faculty's Teaching and Academic Affairs Committee. The duration of the comprehensive assessment must be specified in the characteristics of such activity.
  • 100% of the evaluation evidences must be handed in by the student on the day of the comprehensive assessment.
  • The evaluation evidences carried out in person by the student on the same day of the comprehensive assessment must have a minimum weight of 70%.

The following information referring to the characteristics of the comprehensive assessment must be included. We suggest incorporating the following table:

Evidence Type (1)

Weight in the final assessment (%) (2)

Duration of the activity

Is the activity that corresponds to this evaluation evidence to be carried out in person on the  date scheduled for the comprehensive evaluation? (YES/NO) (3)

EXAM

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

100%

 

 

 

(1)    Descriptive title of each piece of evidence (exam, problem sets solving, case analysis, activity carried out using specific software that the student is expected to know,...)

(2)    Weight of the evidence in the final mark of the subject (specify the percentages of each evaluation evidence that the student must undertake)

(3)    For each piece of evidence: Is the activity that corresponds to this evaluation evidence to be carried out in person on the  date scheduled for the comprehensive evaluation? (YES/NO)

2.2 RETAKE PROCEDURE :

For the retake procedure, no distinction is made between students who have followed the continuous evaluation and those who have opted for the comprehensive evaluation. All will be re-assessed using the same test or evaluation evidence.

2.3 REVIEW OF THE FINAL QUALIFICATION:

The review of the final qualification will follow the same procedure as for the continuous evaluation.

 


Bibliography

Basic References:


MACHO STADLER, Ines and David PEREZ CASTRILLO: Introduction to Economics of Information, Oxford University Press.

In addition be recommended readings in class to complete the basic bibliography. This material and other material such as lists of exercises will be incorporated into the “Campus Virtual”.


Software

Without programary


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Spanish first semester morning-mixed