ECO4145 Platform EconomicsBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs INTERNATIONAL FINANCEGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
ECO4145 Platform Economics Fall
Spring
3 0 3 6
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Course Coordinator : Assoc. Prof. EMİN KÖKSAL
Course Lecturer(s): Assoc. Prof. EMİN KÖKSAL
Course Objectives: This course aims the analyse the basic economic principles of platforms that connect one group of customers with another group of customers.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Identify platforms
2. Explain the functioning of a platform
3. Idenfity network effects
4. Evaluate direct and indirect network effects
5. Analyze platform business models
6. Evaluate platforms' behaviours
7. Analyze platforms' competitive strategies
8. Acquire a solid understanding for promotion and subsidy strategies

Course Content

After an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of platform economics, value creation and ecosystem of platforms will be analyzed. Business models and competitive strategies of the local and global companies such as Yemeksepeti, Bitaksi, Gitti Gidiyor, eBay, Amazon, Alibaba, Uber, Airbnb, Booking will also be elaborated both from theoretical and empirical perspectives.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction and Basic Concepts
2) Economic Principles for Platforms
3) The Technologies Behind Platforms
4) How Multi-Sided Platforms Create Value
5) Getting off the Critical Mass
6) Pricing for Profitability and Growth
7) Shaping the Platform’s Ecosystem
8) Designing the Platform
9) Evaluating Platform Pioneers
10) The Transformation of Payments
11) The Transformation of Retail
12) Antitrust Issues in Platform Economics
13) Public Policy Towards Platforms
14) The Future of Platforms

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: David S. Evans and Richard Schmalensee, Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms, Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2016.
References: Alvin Roth, Who Gets What and Why: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015).

Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian, Information Rules (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 1998)

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Presentation 1 % 20
Midterms 1 % 30
Final 1 % 50
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 50
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 1 18 18
Midterms 1 20 20
Final 1 30 30
Total Workload 152

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To correctly identify the problems and to be able to ask the correct questions 2
2) To have the ability for problem solving and to utilize analytical approach in dealing with the problems of finance 1
3) To understand and grasp the full details of theoretical arguments and counter arguments 3
4) To be fully prepared for a graduate study in finance and to have lifelong learning awareness 2
5) To be able to apply theoretical principles of finance to the realities of practical business life 1
6) To develop solutions for managerial problems by understanding the requirements of international financial markets 2
7) To think innovatively and creatively in complex situations 1
8) To be able to make decisions both locally and internationally by knowing the effects of globalization on business and social life 1
9) To have the competencies of the digital age and to use the necessary financial applications 1
10) To be able to use at least one foreign language both for communication and academic purposes 1
11) To understand the importance of business ethics and to take decisions by knowing the legal and ethical consequences of their activities in the academic world and business life 2
12) To develop an objective criticism in business and academic life and having a perspective to self-criticize 1