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 cybersecurity 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, 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 theories in digital economics, including: cybersecurity economics, network effects, value creation models, digital business models, business ecosystems, business modelling, and technology acceptance and adoption models. 2) How the digital economy influences business strategies, sustainability, innovation, and raises the importance of cybersecurity.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge:

1) To get broad knowledge in digital economics. 2) To get broad knowledge in digital business models. 3) To understand technology acceptance and adoption models and their relevance. 4) To get a good understanding of the role of cybersecurity in the digital economy. 5) To get basic knowledge of the concept of sustainability and perspectives relating to sustainable business models. 6) To get a basic understanding of 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 analyze and construct a business model. 3) To use business modeling as a tool for strategic business analysis. 4) To model digital markets. 5) To understand and evaluate sustainable business model, Corporate Social Responsibility (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.

Course materials

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

Credit reductions