Empirical Studies of Innovation and Digitization

HBSDOC 4561 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

In this course we analyze classic and frontier empirical papers to understand the economics and strategic issues central to the study of firm conduct in innovation-intensive industries, with emphasis on digital industries. The emphasis is on learning to ask an empirical question and critically read papers that use mainstream econometrics to address interesting research questions. This should help prepare students to understand the majority of empirical research in business economics and strategy, again, with emphasis on digitization economics. The course exposes students to empirical work covering a variety of topics, such as diffusion, new media, platform competition, R and D, contests, and the effect of market competition on innovative behavior. Students will be expected to read required papers and contribute to the discussions. In addition, each registered student must choose two papers for presentation in class. These presentations will last twenty minutes to half an hour and are designed to teach students how to quickly analyze and summarize research. Students will also be required to take an exam at the end of the semester.  Open only to doctoral students.