Spatial aspects play an important role in most of our economic decisions: not only what, but also where we want to work, where we want to live, and how we want to commute to work is crucial. Locations determine which restaurants we visit and which physicians we consult. Similarly, in many markets, firm behavior is influenced by the number, identity, and behavior of other firms nearby rather than far away.

The seminar "Advanced Topics in Competition and Consumer Protection" (4 hours / 6 ECTS) is devoted to the management and analysis of spatial data, with a particular focus in the application of spatial data in industrial economics. The seminar consists of two parts:

In the first part (three to four weeks) we will discuss what spatial data are and why they are important. The students will learn how to manage spatial data and how to visualize both spatial data and results based on geographic information. They will gain a solid understanding of what information can be obtained from geographic data, how spatial data can be analyzed, and what research questions they can be used to address.

In the second part, students choose a research question and work on their own empirical project. They will be expected to collect, prepare, and analyze spatial data sets. There will be two feedback sessions where students will report on their progress and discuss the challenges ahead. The project will conclude with a final presentation and a brief report.

In addition to standard econometric programs, we will use the geographic information system software QGIS (version 3.32.2), a free and open-source software. Course materials will be provided via the Moodle platform.