Lecturer
Dr Nhan Phan
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
This course provides an introduction to the theory of entrepreneurship and innovation via the theory of industrial organisation. Students will be introduced to the theory of the firms, imperfect competition, oligopoly theory, and other strategic behaviours, including mergers. In the area of innovation, students will be introduced to different topics of innovation, including intellectual property, R&D and patents, and network and network effects.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is important to complete one of the prerequisite (or equivalent) courses listed on the front of the course profile. Students who enrol without having done this will face extra hurdles. No responsibility will be accepted by UQ School of Economics, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, or The University of Queensland for poor student performance where the appropriate prerequisite has not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ECON1010 or 1120 or 1011
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries, School of Economics
All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.
Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to ECON2540@uq.edu.au.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr Shino Takayama
Tutor
Mr Joshua Harikaran Pooranakaran
Mr Thanh Nhan Nguyen
Miss Xiaoxue Dou
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures commence in Week 1.
Tutorials commence in Week
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
- Public Holidays: Wed 13 August (Royal Queensland Show Holiday), Mon 6 October (King’s Birthday public holiday).
- Mid-Semester Break: 29 September – 3 October. Semester 2 classes recommence on Tue 7 October.
Students should refer to the timetable prior to the commencement of classes to ensure that they have the most up to date information, as from time to time late room changes may occur.
Aims and outcomes
This course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship and innovation via the theory of industrial organisation. Students will be introduced to the theory of the firms, imperfect competition, oligopoly theory, and other strategic behaviours, including mergers. In the area of innovation, students will be introduced to different topics of innovation, including intellectual property, R&D and patents, and network and network effects.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the economic behaviour of firms in relation to their output and pricing decisions.
LO2.
Analyse different types of firms’ strategic behaviours, including price discrimination, mergers, entry deterrence.
LO3.
Examine the different types of innovation, including intellectual property, patents, and networks.
LO4.
Critically evaluate the relationship between industrial structure, performance and approaches to innovation and industry policy.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique | AI Case Study Review | 30% |
8/09/2025 1:00 pm |
| Presentation, Reflection |
Video Presentation
|
30% |
20/10/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
End-of-semester Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
AI Case Study Review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
8/09/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04
Task description
Students will be required to write a short essay and/or evaluate a model answer by ChatGPT. The topic will be the contents of Lectures 1-4.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The assignment can be submitted as a PDF or Word document. The first page is a cover sheet including your essay title, name, student number and word count. The PDF file must be submitted via Turnitin by the assignment due date and time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Video Presentation
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation, Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
20/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students form into groups of 2-4 members. Each group then chooses a company, which can be either a start-up or established, and create a video (which can be a Zoom or Teams recording) with all members presenting. The video should address the following tasks:
- Outline the current market structure in which the company operates.
- Evaluate any innovations the company has done, or plan to do.
- Propose a new innovation the company can adopt, and discuss its merits.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
One student from each group will submit the video to Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End-of-semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The final exam is centrally administrated. Its format and coverage will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten notes , single sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0% - 29% |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30% - 46% |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47% - 49% |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50% - 64% |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65% - 74% |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75% - 84% |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85% - 100% |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
A student's final overall end of semester percentage mark will be rounded to determine their final grade. For example, 64.5% rounds to 65%, while 64.4% rounds to 64%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Using AI at UQ
Visit the AI Student Hub for essential information on understanding and using Artificial Intelligence in your studies responsibly.
Plagiarism
The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. You are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy available in the Policies and Procedures section of this course profile.
The Academic Integrity Module (AIM) outlines your obligations and responsibilities as a UQ student. It is compulsory for all new to UQ students to complete the AIM.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
An Introduction to Innovation Learning outcomes: L03 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Intellectual Property Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Cumulative Innovation Students attending any tutorials on Wednesday 13th August (public holiday) are encouraged to attend another session this week only. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Networks and Network Effects Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Guest Lecture Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Guest Lecture Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Industrial Organisation: Firms' Behaviours Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Competition and Price Discrimination Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Market Structure: Perfect Competition and Monopoly Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Market Structure and Oligopoly Students attending any tutorials on Monday 6th October (public holiday) are encouraged to attend another session this week only. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Entry and Horizontal Mergers Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Vertical Integration and Market Foreclosure Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.