Industrial organisation/economics 2600-FCz1EB

The course focuses on the analysis of the industry as a fundamental level of economic analysis, with particular emphasis on its structure, competitiveness, and vulnerability to external shocks. Technological and cost determinants of industry functioning, market structure, its definition and segmentation, degree of concentration, barriers to entry, and competitive dynamics are discussed. The analysis also includes demand formation, product differentiation, corporate pricing policy, the value chain, margin distribution, and the financial performance of key entities.
An important element of the course is the issue of industry internationalization, the choice of foreign markets, and the assessment of their development prospects based on trend analysis, scenario building, and identification of key success factors. Statistical data, economic and financial analysis methods, as well as tools supporting the assessment of the situation and development prospects of industries are used in the analytical process.
The objective of the tutorials is to acquire skills in conducting economic analysis of selected industries, with particular emphasis on the impact of digital transformation, technological innovations, and digital business models on their functioning. This analysis includes the identification and assessment of factors determining operational efficiency, scalability of activities, and building competitive advantage based on modern technological solutions. Its element is also the interpretation of the obtained results in the context of assessing the industry's innovation potential and developing strategic investment recommendations in the area of digital finance.

Term 2025Z:

The course focuses on the analysis of sectors and industries in the national economy, with particular emphasis on their role in shaping the operating conditions of enterprises and in making investment decisions. Participants will become familiar with the mechanisms governing individual sectors, the specific characteristics of industries with traditionally strong positions, as well as those developing dynamically due to innovation, technological transformation, and processes such as automation, robotics, digitalization, and energy transition. Students will learn to identify connections between market structures, industry characteristics, and the investment process, as well as to evaluate which conditions foster or limit development opportunities in specific sectors.
Lectures address market structures, business models, and mechanisms of competition, along with their impact on enterprise productivity and profitability. Students will gain knowledge of tools used in industry analysis and feasibility studies, including the use of data published by statistical institutions such as GUS and Eurostat. Special attention is devoted to the interpretation of financial indicators and their application in assessing the effectiveness of investment projects.
Practical classes are designed to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge, including workshops. Students analyse case studies of companies from various industries, evaluate their competitive position, interpret financial data at the sectoral level, and complete a team project that involves selecting an industry and preparing a mini-investment report with efficiency and productivity calculations. In this way, they acquire skills in identifying key market trends, recognizing opportunities and risks for industries, and assessing the investment potential of enterprises.
The course is interdisciplinary – it integrates economic, financial, legal, and managerial knowledge with the practice of data analysis and digital finance. Its content is directly linked with other courses within the Digital Finance program, particularly those focusing on capital market analysis, financial management, evaluation of financial instruments, and investment project valuation.
By completing the course, students develop competencies required of specialists in digital finance and data analysis – including the ability to critically analyse economic processes, identify mechanisms of competition and innovation, and apply methods of financial performance assessment. Students also strengthen their analytical and communication skills – they prepare industry reports, present analysis results to different audiences, and learn to apply advanced digital tools and artificial intelligence solutions supporting the decision-making process.
As a result, graduates will be prepared for careers in financial institutions, advisory and consulting firms, manufacturing and service enterprises, as well as public administration units. The ability to evaluate industries and investment projects, interpret financial indicators, analyse market data, and apply digital technologies and AI tools represents a valuable complement to their professional qualifications and enhances their capacity to operate effectively in a knowledge-, technology-, and data-driven economy.

Course coordinators

Grzegorz Tchorek

Type of course

obligatory courses

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands:
K_W01, K_W03, K_W05
● (K_W01) in an in-depth manner, the conceptual apparatus and methodology of industry analysis in economics and finance, with particular emphasis on digital markets and modern technologies;
● (K_W03) in an in-depth manner, economic theories and models of the functioning of organizations and the economy, with particular emphasis on competition, digital finance, and modern technologies (including artificial intelligence);
● (K_W05) complex technological, socio-economic, ecological, and legal phenomena (including digitalization, automation, energy transition) and their impact on financial decisions, firm strategies, and digital information systems.

Skills: the graduate is able to:
K_U01, K_U02
● (K_U01) use theories of economics, finance, and complementary sciences to diagnose and solve problems in the field of digital finance, including with the use of advanced analytical tools and artificial intelligence;
● (K_U02) correctly interpret complex technological and socio-economic processes and assess their impact on financial decisions, firm functioning, and the use of digital data in market analysis and forecasting.

Social competences: the graduate is ready to:
K_K01, K_K02, K_K03, K_K04
● (K_K01) critically evaluate complex phenomena related to digital finance, data analysis, and new technologies in organization and economy;
● (K_K02) recognize the value of scientific knowledge and modern data analysis in solving problems in the field of digital finance and seek expert advice;
● (K_K03) initiate projects based on digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence for the benefit of community, environment, and public good;
● (K_K04) think and act entrepreneurially under conditions of digital transformation on a national and global scale.

Assessment criteria

Verification of learning outcomes includes assessing the degree of mastery of theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply it in evaluating the situation and development prospects of industries, making financial and investment decisions, and identifying and assessing risk.
The grade takes into account the results of the written exam, substantive correctness, reliability, and timeliness of the group assessment report, as well as activity during tutorials.
The course ends with a written exam. The condition for taking the exam is obtaining a passing grade for the tutorials.

Bibliography

1. Gregor B., Kaczorowska-Spychalska D., (2021). Technologie cyfrowe w biznesie. Przedsiębiorstwa 4.0
a sztuczna inteligencja, Warszawa: PWN.
2. Klimczak K.M., Mleczko J., Więcek D., (2023). Działalność gospodarcza przedsiębiorstw
w warunkach Przemysłu 4.0, Warszawa: PWE.
3. Michna A., Kaźmierczak J., 2020, (red.). Przemysł 4.0 w organizacjach: wyzwania i szanse dla mikro, małych
i średnich przedsiębiorstw, Warszawa: CeDeWu.
4. Clark, Peter A. (2000). Organisations in action: competition between contexts. London: Routledge.

Term 2025Z:

1. Gregor, B., Kaczorowska-Spychalska, D. (2021). Digital Technologies in Business: Enterprises 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence. Warsaw: PWN.
2. Klimczak, K.M., Mleczko, J., Więcek, D. (2023). Business activity of enterprises under Industry 4.0. Warsaw: PWE.
3. Michna, A., Kaźmierczak, J. (Eds.) (2020). Industry 4.0 in organizations: challenges and opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Warsaw: CeDeWu.
4. Clark, Peter A. (2000). Organisations in action: competition between contexts. London: Routledge.
5. Industry reports.
6. Statistics Poland (GUS) data: Business entities, financial results, Statistical Yearbooks.
7. Databases: GUS, Eurostat, OECD, BLS.
8. Selected problem-oriented articles: Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade.