Bachelor
2020/2021
Blockchain Technology for Business
Type:
Elective course (Business Informatics)
Area of studies:
Business Informatics
Delivered by:
Department of Business Informatics
When:
3 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Instructors:
Полещук Александр Николаевич,
Tatiana Yakushkina
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Blockchain technology is often associated with Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. However, it is a high-end technology that incorporates the advances of cryptography and information systems architecture. In a modern world of growing amounts of data, information privacy and security became a center of attention. This program is focused on the business applications of blockchain technology. It covers the scope of knowledge from fundamental properties of the technology itself to innovative business models based on it. During this course, students will learn how to identify the possibilities and limitations of blockchain in different business contexts. We will discuss different methods, which businesses can use to bring their data management on a new level.
Learning Objectives
- The course is aimed at acquiring the basic level of knowledge about the blockchain technology and its business applications. Students will study how blockchain facilitates enterprises in different areas: funding, management, value creation and monetization, supply chains.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Theoretical knowledge of the main concepts and properties of blockchain technologies
- Acquaintance with white papers of different blockchain-based projects
- Experience in analysis of practical cases of blockchain application
- Ability to identify and assess perspectives of enterprise blockchain applications
Course Contents
- An introduction to blockchain technologyGeneral overview of the basic properties of the technology. Introduction of the fundamental concepts: blocks, public and private keys, transactions, smart contracts. Perspectives for business process automation
- Decentralization, transparency, and privacyAdvantages of blockchain technology for applications. Eliminating third-party verification. Decentralization, immutability, transparency. Last-mile problem. Public and private blockchains. Self-sovereign identity and web3.0 technological stack
- CryptocurrenciesBitcoin as an example of blockchain. Cryptocurrencies and their characteristics, the utility of proof-of-work. Decentralized utility: storage (IPFS and Filecoin), fungibility (privacy preserving platforms Monero and zCash)
- Blockchain for enterpriseClassification of the area of blockchain enterprise cases. Blockchain as a service for business. Cases of successful implementation. Exonum, Hyperleder, Ethereum. Real estate, GovTech
- Tokens and tokenomicsTokens as a form of programmable assets. Tokenomics and client engagement. ICOs as a new way to build financial strategy. Using tokens to create digital ecosystems. Exchanges (Binance), wallets, decentralized markets and communities (e.g. Reddit)
- New business modelsDisruption of traditional centralized business models. Formation of innovative market niches. SSI-based systems and Proof-of-Stake. Internet of People. Robonomics. DeFi in MakerDAO
- Future of the technologyRegulation of cryptomarket TON vs Libra vs ETH. Integration with AI and IoT technologies. Scaling blockchains, Polkadot, TON, ETH 2.0, IoTa, Toda. Gamification revolution
Assessment Elements
- Lecture grades
- Home assignments5 assignments on the Parts 2-6
- ExamStudents prepare a case study on the blockchain applications
- Seminars grades
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (3 module)0.3 * Exam + 0.35 * Home assignments + 0.26 * Lecture grades + 0.09 * Seminars grades
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Mougayar, W. (2016). The Business Blockchain : Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1228241
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- BASHIR, I. (2018). Mastering Blockchain : Distributed Ledger Technology, Decentralization, and Smart Contracts Explained, 2nd Edition. Packt Publishing.
- Mukhopadhyay, M. (2018). Ethereum Smart Contract Development : Build Blockchain-based Decentralized Applications Using Solidity. Packt Publishing.
- Saravanan Krishnan, Valentina E. Balas, Julie Golden, Y. Harold Robinson, S. Balaji, & Raghvendra Kumar. (2020). Handbook of Research on Blockchain Technology. Academic Press.