Official course description:
Full info last published 15/05-23

Blockchain Economics

Course info
Language:
English
ECTS points:
15
Course code:
KBBLECO1KU
Participants max:
70
Offered to guest students:
yes
Offered to exchange students:
yes
Offered as a single subject:
yes
Price for EU/EEA citizens (Single Subject):
21250 DKK
Programme
Level:
MSc. Master
Programme:
MSc in Digital Innovation & Management
Staff
Course manager
Roman Beck
Professor, Head of Center
Teacher
Asger Balle Pedersen
PhD student
Course Academic Responsible
Christopher Gad
Associate Professor
Course Academic Responsible
Marisa Cohn
Associate Professor
Course semester
Semester
Efterår 2023
Start
28 August 2023
End
26 January 2024
Exam
Exam type
ordinær
Internal/External
ekstern censur
Grade Scale
7-trinsskala
Exam Language
GB
Abstract
The goal of the course is to address current and future potentials of blockchain-based technologies for a range of (inter-)organizational purposes in a digital economy.



Description

Blockchain economic systems are still in their infancy but receive a dramatic increase in industrial and academic interest. Start-ups, as well as industry initiatives, are working intensely on blockchain-based innovations, making the technology one of the most promising drivers of innovation in many sectors and industries. However, the design and implementation of blockchain-based systems requires know-how in various areas, as well as mindful consideration of larger economic and societal issues.

Students will be able to understand, analyze and reflect on the potentials and limits of blockchain technologies for a range of (inter-)organizational purposes.

This course focuses on technological and economic foundations of blockchain economics, as well as complex systems theories, market engineering, strategies and governance of distributed systems, and network effects. Moreover, economic benefits of standards for new types of sharing economies and the Internet of Things will be discussed. A critical reflection of digital determinism as well legal implications will be included as well.

Formal prerequisites

This course constitutes the second part of the specialization in Digital Economics, however, the course is open for ITU students and guest students that have not participated in the first part of the specialization, Service Economics.

For the students that have not been enrolled in Service Economics, it is recommended to have a basic knowledge of service-dominant logic and strategic business IT alignment. Recommended articles on these topic are:

Vargo, Stephen L., Lusch, Robert F. (2008), From goods to service(s): Divergences and convergences of logics, Industrial Marketing Management, 37 (3) , pp. 254-259

Henderson, J.C.; Venkatraman, N. (1993): Strategic Alignment: Leveraging Information Technology for Transforming Organizations, IBM Systems Journal, Vol. 38, No. 2/3, pp. 472-484

Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

  • Reflect on the relationship between fading enterprises boundaries, transaction cost economics, IT governance, as well as standardization, and apply it in the context of blockchain.
  • Explain the role of incentive mechanisms and economic theories for the successful implementation of a blockchain economy.
  • Describe and discuss your personal role as an innovative business manager and accompanying chances and risks in a globalized blockchain economy.
  • Reflect on the technological foundations of blockchain systems and critically analyze different blockchain implementations.
  • Analyze, compare and interpret critically blockchain literature and apply theories and methods to blockchain projects.
Learning activities

As part of the course, students are expected to conduct an investigation related to the teaching topics in practice and write a report that is to be handed in.

Additionally, as part of their master thesis preparation, students must find a supervisor. Students must meet with their supervisor at least twice during the semester. Students must have an approved thesis project agreement before the start of next semester.

Course literature

The course literature is published in the course page in LearnIT.

Student Activity Budget
Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student
  • Preparation for lectures and exercises: 15%
  • Lectures: 30%
  • Exercises: 30%
  • Project work, supervision included: 20%
  • Exam with preparation: 5%
Ordinary exam
Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D1G: Submission for groups with following oral exam based on the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.
Exam submission description:
The written assignment is a report written in groups of 1 - 3 persons.

The report is 20 pp + 4 additional pp per group member.
Exam duration per student for the oral exam:
30 minutes
Group exam form:
Mixed exam 1 : Individual and joint student presentation followed by an individual and a group dialogue. The students make a joint presentation followed by a group dialogue. Subsequently the students are having individual examination with presentation and / or dialogue with the supervisor and external examiner while the rest of the group is outside the room.


reexam
Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D1G: Submission for groups with following oral exam based on the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.

Time and date
Ordinary Exam - submission Tue, 19 Dec 2023, 08:00 - 14:00
Ordinary Exam Mon, 22 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Tue, 23 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Wed, 24 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00
Ordinary Exam Fri, 26 Jan 2024, 09:00 - 21:00