Industrial organisation/economics 2600-IADz1EB

The course focuses on the analysis of industry as a fundamental level of economic analysis, with particular emphasis on its structure, competitiveness, and sensitivity to external shocks. Technological and cost conditions of industry functioning, market structure, its definition and segmentation, degree of concentration, entry barriers, and competitive dynamics are discussed. The analysis also covers demand formation, product differentiation, pricing policy of enterprises, the value chain, margin distribution, and financial results of key market players.

An important element of the course is the issue of industry internationalization, the selection of foreign markets, and the assessment of their development prospects based on trend analysis, scenario building, and identification of key success factors. Statistical data, methods of economic and financial analysis, and tools supporting the evaluation of the situation and development prospects of industries are utilized in the analytical process.

Tutorial classes are practical in nature and serve to apply economic and financial analysis to assess the situation and development prospects of selected industries, incorporating the use of quantitative data and analytical tools. Students conduct comparative analyses of enterprises from an industry perspective, identify factors affecting their competitiveness, efficiency, and investment potential, and interpret results in the context of investment decision-making. Particular emphasis is placed on using real economic data, ratio analysis methods, and elements of forecasting to prepare analytical reports and formulate investment conclusions and recommendations.

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_W08
• (K_W01) in an in-depth manner, the conceptual apparatus and methodology of economic and financial analysis used in the study of industry structures, markets, and enterprises;
• (K_W03) economic theories and models describing the functioning of industries in the context of evaluating their investment attractiveness and data analysis;
• (K_W05) the impact of complex technological, social, political, legal, economic, and ecological processes in the market environment on financial decisions and development prospects of industries;
• (K_W08) principles of creating and developing various forms of entrepreneurship, including internationalization strategies, business activity forms, and enterprise innovation.

Skills: The graduate is able to:
• K_U01, K_U02
• (K_U01) use knowledge in economics, finance, and complementary disciplines to recognize and diagnose market situations, perform comparative analyses of companies, and forecast their results;
• (K_U02) correctly interpret complex technological, social, political, legal, economic, and ecological processes and phenomena, and evaluate their impact on the efficiency and investment potential of entities.

Social Competences: The graduate is ready to:
• K_K01, K_K02, K_K03, K_K04
• (K_K01) critically evaluate market data and phenomena related to financial investments and data analysis in an organization;
• (K_K02) recognize the value of scientific methodology and reliable economic data analysis in solving decision-making problems, and seek expert opinions within industry analyses;
• (K_K03) take into account the public interest, economic consequences, and principles of responsible investing in the context of analyzing industry development;
• (K_K04) think and act entrepreneurially when identifying market opportunities and barriers at the industry level on a national and global scale.

Assessment criteria

Verification of learning outcomes includes evaluating the degree of mastery of theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply it in assessing the situation and development prospects of industries, making financial and investment decisions, as well as identifying and assessing risk.
The evaluation takes into account the results of a written exam, the substantive correctness, reliability, and timeliness of a team final report, and active participation during tutorial classes.

Bibliography

1. Gorynia M. (2021). Przedsiębiorstwo w biznesie międzynarodowy: aspekty ekonomiczne, finansowe i menedżerskie, Warszawa: PWN SA.
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.