Blockchain and platform economy (5 cr)

Objective

You learn what blockchain technology is and how it is operated.

You learn how to analyse blockchain-driven businesses and how to develop a blockchain technology into an existing or new business.

You learn key principles of decentralized applications and smart contracts.

You are able to analyse different types of platforms in business and explain how such platforms function.

You are able to develop platform business models and analyse network effects.

Content

What is the blockchain technology and its operational principles?

How to analyse blockchain-driven businesses?

How to develop a blockchain technology in business?

What are the business features of decentralised applications and smart contracts?

What types of platforms exist in business and how do the platforms function?

How to design a suitable platform business model for a business?

What are the characteristics of network effects in platform economy?

Evaluation

Students can
a. use professional vocabulary and concepts in an expert way in different situations.

c. work as team members in working life expert duties and identify and describe the problems of the professional field.

e. choose appropriate models, methods, software and techniques according to the purpose and justify these choices.

f. promote teams’ goal-oriented operation.

Course material

(1) Lecture notes and other readings provided by the instructor
(2) Following text-books to deepen understanding on the subject matter
(a) Gassmann, O., Frankenberger, K. & Csik, M., 2015. The Business Model Navigator. Harlow, England: Pearson.
(b) Parker, G. G., Alstyne, M. W. V. & Choudary, S. P., 2018. Platform Revolution: How networked markets are transforming the economy and how to make them work for you. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
(c) Rogers, D. L., 2016. The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink your business for the digital age. New York: Columbia Business School Publishing.

Study forms and methods

Individual study tracks can be negotiated with the instructor. It will be available only if the student can provide sufficient basis for such implementation. There can be a pre-test to assess the students’ ability and suitability to complete the course individually.

RDI and work-related cooperation

(1) You have to analyze existing platforms or develop platform strategy for existing businesses
(2) You have to think about integrating blockchain technology in the existing processes of a particular business

Timing of exams and assignments

There will be approximately 4 theme specific take-away tasks that students must complete after the end of each themes. The exact deadline will be decided during the classes.It is essential to complete all the tasks and obtain at least half points from each of the assignments in order to pass both courses.

Student workload

Sequential theme based tasks in regular intervals

Course part description

At the end of the study unit, students should be able to:
(1) Understand the Blockchain technology
(2) Recognize applications of blockchain technology in business innovation
(3) Differentiate pipeline model from platform business strategies
(4) Innovate platform businesses model using appropriate tools

Further information

Please contact jagat.kunwar@xamk.fi directly for further information.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Students can
a. look for information in the key information sources of the field
b. identify interrelated tasks
c. use the key models, methods, software and techniques of the professional field
d. work as team members in a goal-oriented way
e. justify their actions according to the ethical principles of the professional field