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Regular version of the site

Digital Transformation of the World Economy

2019/2020
Academic Year
ENG
Instruction in English
4
ECTS credits
Course type:
Elective course
When:
3 year, 3, 4 module

Instructor


Milovantseva, Natalia

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This blended learning course provides a foundational interdisciplinary understanding of digital economy and its importance to sustainable economic development. It covers fundamentals of platform economy, basic understanding of data science, key drivers of digital transformation, and emerging trends and technologies. The emphasis is on (a) appreciating the impact of emerging technologies on firms and megapolises and (b) developing skills for taking advantage of economic opportunities afforded by new technologies. There are no prerequisites for taking this course other than appropriate academic standing. While a background in any relevant discipline would be helpful, a sincere interest in a conceptual understanding of the material is all a student needs. What this course is not: while it covers the most exciting innovative developments in today’s economy, this course will not attempt to provide an in-depth literature survey or a detailed discussion of covered technologies. Important Note: Depending on the class’ comprehension, some changes may be made to the content, dates, or teaching arrangements set out in the course schedule at the course instructor's discretion over the course of the semester. These changes will be communicated to students directly. Be informed and routinely check your school email.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To encourage critical thinking about the impact of digitalization on economic processes worldwide and its role in the society. This will involve connecting economic theory with other disciplines.
  • To gain skills in collaborative learning. This will be achieved through work on a team project.
  • To improve communication skills. This will be achieved through participation in interactive lectures and class discussions.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Analyses of the IT and "new economy" debate in the historical and economic context.
  • Able to evaluate various infrastructural challenges that digital transformation of world economy presents.
  • Describe the nature and extent of key digital technologies' potential.
  • Assess how firms use digital technologies to adapt to increasingly competitive economic environment.
  • Assess the likely global implications of digital economy evolvement.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction
    Historical and economic context of digital economy. Digital economy vs. knowledge economy; IT and "new economy" debate. Innovation and productivity paradox.
  • Digital infrastructures
    Layers and scale of digital infrastructures. Advances in computing. History of Internet. Why being first in 5G is important. Workshop 1 “Digital economy debates and digital infrastructures”.
  • Key technologies
    Big data. Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Data science. Blockchain and cryptocurrency. Workshop 2 “Digital technologies”.
  • Business models
    Integrated IT-driven production cycle. Changes in business organization and management. E-commerce. Platforms. Workshop 3 “How firms use digital technologies to adapt to increasingly competitive environment” Part I. Smart contracts; Alternative finance; Crowds. Offshoring of services. Workshop 4 “How firms use digital technologies to adapt to increasingly competitive environment” Part II.
  • Digital economy and global issues
    Cybersecurity. Environmental impact of digital transition. Digital economy in peripheral regions; Digital divide. Workshop 5 “Digital economy and global issues”.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Class contribution
  • non-blocking Final examination
  • non-blocking Online quizzes and assignments
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.25 * Class contribution + 0.2 * Final examination + 0.55 * Online quizzes and assignments
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Landers, C. S. (2017). The Digital Divide : Issues, Recommendations and Research. Hauppauge, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1530459
  • Quiniou, M. (2019). Blockchain : The Advent of Disintermediation. London, UK: Wiley-ISTE. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2147382
  • Raheem, N. (2019). Big Data : A Tutorial-Based Approach (Vol. First edition). Boca Raton: Chapman and Hall/CRC. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2031482
  • Watanabe, C., Tou, Y., & Neittaanmäki, P. (2020). A new paradox of the digital economy : Structural sources of the limitation of GDP statistics. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C9EE5C6F

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Caravelli, J., & Jones, N. (2019). Cyber Security: Threats and Responses for Government and Business. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2014189
  • Chen, Y., & Wang, L. (Tarry). (2019). Commentary: Marketing and the Sharing Economy: Digital Economy and Emerging Market Challenges. Journal of Marketing, 83(5), 28–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242919868470
  • Grable, J. E., & Lyons, A. C. (2018). An Introduction to Big Data. Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 72(5), 17–20. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=bsu&AN=131378067
  • Harvard Business Review, Don Tapscott, Marco Iansiti, Karim R. Lakhani, & Catherine Tucker. (2019). Blockchain : The Insights You Need From Harvard Business Review. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business Review Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2003693
  • Malecki, E. J., & Moriset, B. (2008). The Digital Economy : Business Organization, Production Processes and Regional Developments. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=nlebk&AN=214211