2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS3435 Public Enterprise and Regulation

10 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Andrew Smith
Email: A.S.J.Smith@its.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores the alternative policy approaches for dealing with sectors of the economy which are subject to market failure, are important in terms of their scale, political importance and / or their role as a basic need (for example, transport, energy, water, telecommunications, postal services). The module explores, based on theory and evidence, what approaches to ownership are likely to work best, and how different forms of competition and regulation (or de-regulation) can combine with privatisation to deliver improved outcomes for consumers, whilst also protecting companies from unwanted government interference. The context to this debate is the global trend towards increased involvement of the private sector and de-regulation more widely in these sectors. A variety of examples from different sectors and countries will be considered to explore the theoretical concepts in practice and interpret the evidence and draw conclusions about what works best and in what circumstances.

Objectives

The module aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to engage in informed debate about how to deal with sectors of the economy subject to market failure and which are important in terms of their scale, the fact that they provide a basic need, and / or because of the potential or need for political involvement or interference.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to interpret and outline:
- The rationale for Public Enterprise and its historical development, the reasons for the failure of state ownership as a module and the theoretical reasons why privatisation might be a solution to this failure
- The impact of privatisation and de-regulation on economic efficiency and social welfare and the interaction between privatisation, regulation and competition in driving desirable outcomes
- Alternative approaches to regulating privatised companies and the associated problems and possible solutions
- The role of intermediate, hybrid structures (PPP and not-for-profits) in this debate, based on theory and evidence

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Recognise the challenges of isolating the impact of one factor when numerous other variables change at the same time

Subject specific
- Deploy critical thinking skills to interpret evidence on the impact of different types of reforms

Syllabus

Indicative content:
- The rationale for public enterprise and its historical development internationally
- Fundamental (theoretical) failures of public enterprise and the case for privatisation
- Privatisation: assessing the outcomes (UK and international)
- Private enterprise: regulation versus competition (contestability; different forms of competition)
- Private enterprise: incentive regulation (RPI-X) versus rate of return regulation of natural monopoly
- Drawing the efficiency frontier - efficiency analysis in UK price reviews
- Hybrid ownership models: PFI / PPP and not-for-profit structures

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			85.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

There will be a variety of teaching methods, such as face-to-face teaching, and live webinars. There will be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module, including via a practice essay.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

The resit for this module will be 100% by 2 hour examination.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 17/05/2023 15:55:35

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