ECON 3570
Information Technology and Economy 
1st Term, 2022-2023
 

Lecture Hours and Location: 

Mon 12:30pm - 1:15pm; SB LT2
Thu 8:30am - 10:15am; FYB LT4

 
Instructor:  YUNG Chor Wing Linda   
Office:  ELB 1010
Phone:  3943-8192   
E-mail:  cwyung186@cuhk.edu.hk
     
Teaching Assistant:  CHAN Yat Ching   
Office:  ELB 1007
Phone:  3943-3536  
E-mail:  yatchingchan@cuhk.edu.hk  

Course Description:

The course explores how ever-evolving information technology changes business operations and affects our daily life. The course discusses fundamental concepts and practical applications of information technology especially issues related to its role, cost and benefit. Upon completing the course, students will be aware of the extent to which information technology permeates many aspects of our life. They will also be able to evaluate issues relating to the use of information technology critically.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing the course, students will be aware of the extent to which information technology permeates many aspects of our life. They will also be able to evaluate issues relating to the use of information technology critically.

Tentative List of Topics:

The core concepts of the course are listed below. Relevant cases will be studied whenever it is appropriate. Specially tailored computer laboratory work will be used to put principles taught in class into practice.

Week Topics  
1 Overview and Introduction
2 Pricing Information  
3 Pricing Models (Various Models)  
4 Pricing Models (Various Models)  
5 Managing Data Resources  
6 Network Externalities  
7 Basic HTML and Web Page Authoring  
8 Technology Adoption  
9 Switching Cost and Lock-in  
10 Standard War  
11 Cooperation and Compatibility  
12 Rights Management & OSS  
13 Information Policy & Digital Divide (depending on time)

Course Assessment Scheme:

Assignments
30%
Webpage project
30%
Final
40%

Course Activities:

  • Tutorials, Labs, and Assignments:

    There will be labs and tutorials sessions held throughout the term. This will help you do your assignments and exams. Assignments will be posted on Blackboard one week prior to the deadline. No late assignments will be graded whatever the reason is.

    Computer Lab Sessions
    Data Base Management
    Basic HTML and Webpage authoring
  • Final

    Final will be arranged by the University, please observe the date and venue. The University has very strict regulations on how the final exam works. So please make sure you can make it.  

    For exchange students, please note that early departure is NOT a valid reason for not taking the final examination at the time scheduled by the University.

Recommended Reference Books:
  • Comino, Stefano and Fabio Maria Manenti, Industrial Organization of High-Technology Markets, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014.  
  • Shapiro, Carl and Hal Varian, Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy, Harvard Business School Press, 1999.  
  • Shy, Oz, The Economics of Network Industries, Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Grade Descriptors: 

Grade

Descriptions

A / A-

Outstanding/Generally outstanding performance on all learning outcomes.

B+ / B / B-

Substantial performance on all learning outcomes, OR high performance on some learning outcomes which compensates for less satisfactory performance on others, resulting in overall substantial performance.

C+ / C / C-

Satisfactory performance on the majority of learning outcomes, possibly with a few weaknesses

D+ / D

Barely satisfactory performance on a number of learning outcomes

F

Unsatisfactory performance on a number of learning outcomes, OR failure to meet specified assessment requirements.

Computer and E-mail Policy:

I do accept questions or comments via e-mail, but I will not open any e-mail attachment containing viruses or any attachment unless your e-mail includes an explanation of what the attachment is. Please also note that e-mail in non English language are often not compatible with my computer environment so please do not send any non English e-mails to me.

Notes:  Powerpoint notes and announcements will be posted on the class Blackboard. (https://blackboard.cuhk.edu.hk ) Please check frequently.

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/ .

With each assignment, students will be required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures. For group projects, all students of the same group should be asked to sign on the declaration. For assignments in the form of a computer-generated document that is principally text-based and submitted via VeriGuide, the statement, in the form of a receipt, will be issued by the system upon students' uploading of the soft copy of the assignment. Assignments without the receipt will not be graded by teachers. Only the final version of the assignment should be submitted via VeriGuide.