Internet business and digital economy

The rapid developments of the internet, mobile, and related technologies provide not only new business models and lifestyles but also an exciting area for economic analysis. How do start-ups transform a new idea into an online business and build a consumer base? How does selling online advertising space create enormous profits for Facebook and Google? Why do we still see significant differences across sellers for the same product although the internet has made it easier than ever to compare prices? How do social networks affect content creation and sharing on social media platforms? Policymakers around the world are concerned with the potential misuse of market power by large digital platforms. The unit provides you with an understanding of the current debates regarding consumer privacy, online advertising, and biased social media and the role of economics in informing the future development of the internet.