Examination arrangement

Course content

The digitization of the economy is one of the most critical issues of our time. Digital technologies have transformed businesses and people's lives and will continue to do so in the future. This course is about digital economics and how the digital economy influences markets and society. We learn about how the Internet, mobile communications, the sharing economy, social media, and cryptocurrencies impact global businesses.

In this course, UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals will be linked to the platform businesses. The main focus will be on the economic dimension and social responsibility, as well as the technology and environmental dimension. The economic dimension of platform businesses is mainly embedded in SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, and 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The social responsibility dimension corresponds to SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere, 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, and 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The technology dimension relates to SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, and 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The environmental dimension matches SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

The course has two main parts: 1) Basic theory in digital economics, including: network effects, value creation models, digital business models and market modeling. 2) How the digital economy influences sustainability, privacy, regulations, and strategy.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge: 1) To get broad knowledge in digital economics 2) To get broad knowledge in digital business models 3) To get broad knowledge of selected socio-technical topics in the digital economy such as: privacy and market regulation 4) To get basic knowledge on the concept of sustainability and perspectives relating to sustainable business models and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 5) To get a basic understanding on how to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through digital transformation

B. Skills: 1) To perform a network effect analysis of a digital service 2) To analysis and construct a business model 3) To model digital markets 4) To understand and evaluate sustainable business model, CSR policies and practices

Learning methods and activities

The course is offered as an online course. The lectures will be recorded and made available on Blackboard. Other digital materials will supplement the lectures. External lecturers from the Norwegian ICT industry and public administration contribute to the course. The course is offered to students in Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund, as well as remote students.

Further on evaluation

Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The course is graded as passed/not passed. The portfolio includes three group-based assignments: a case study, an essay and the peer-review of a draft of another group's essay.

The assignments must be delivered in English.

Course materials

"Introduction to Digital Economics - Foundations, Business Models and Case Studies" H. Øverby and J. A. Audestad.

Credit reductions