Platforms, Blockchains and Sustainability

This course addresses three areas of increasing impact on the management of business in the 21rst century: digital business platforms, blockchain technology and sustainability. Business Platforms (BP) connect producers and consumers via digital technology, having the potential to generate network effects, fast. Blockchain Technology (BCT) allows direct peer-to-peer interactions at the highest security level. For these reasons, business platforms and blockchain technology have the potential do radically affect business and sustainability. By using real life cases of BPs and BTs, this course addresses the question “when do BPs and BCTs become agents of environmental and social innovation?”. When are these technologies and business models better suited to tackle environmental and social issues by business? Students will learn analytical tools to analyze and develop business platforms, as well as the basic skills for the use of blockchain technology for sustainability.