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This course examines key concepts and main features of Blockchain, analyses the evolution of this technology and reviews present and potential applications. Economic, organisational, social and political impacts of Blockchain are explored. An improved understanding of the driving forces and motivations behind organisations’ adoption of Blockchain-based applications will be provided.
Blockchain – a kind of distributed ledger technology – has been described in the popular press as the next big thing. Blockchain is considered to have the potential to cause major economic, political and social transformations. The industries that are likely to be impacted by Blockchain – finance, healthcare, defense, supply chain management, luxury goods, government, to name a few – will be worth in the order of tens of trillions of dollars. Unsurprisingly it is the most talked-about and discussed topic in technology.In light of the above observations, this course examines key concepts and main features of Blockchain, analyses the evolution of this technology and reviews present and potential applications. Economic, organisational, social and political impacts of Blockchain are explored. An improved understanding of the driving forces and motivations behind organisations’ adoption of Blockchain-based applications will be provided.Tailoring the main concepts and theories to the situations in which nations, industries and organisations function, the course offers in-depth case studies that explore contexts, mechanisms and processes related to the development and deployment of Blockchain. Examples, special cases, and applications at the national, industry, functional area and organisational levels are laid out in detail. It offers a fresh and unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the pervasiveness and widespread use of Blockchain-based smart contracts.
By the end of this course the student should be able to:Have an understanding of the relevance and potential of Blockchain technology for modern firms, the culture and society at-large. Identify the need for and explain the use of Blockchain technology in modern organisations, financial institutions, government and public applications, and culture at-large. Explain important Blockchain concepts, especially with regard to their potential role in strategy and value creation for the firm.Explain important Blockchain concepts with regard to their potential to transform society and culture.Analyse complex situations in business and society to identify and evaluate alternative solutions that may require Blockchain, and make informed recommendations.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
(1) INFO123 or INFO125 or COSC101 or COSC121 or COSC131 or COSC122 or DIGI101 and (2) 45 points at 200-level or above
Stephen Wingreen
There will be no textbook for this course. Readings from journal articles, technical reports and news media will be assigned.
Domestic fee $892.00
International fee $4,563.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Department of Accounting and Information Systems .