SOC1 Technology, Society and the Firm

• Topics

  SOC1 Technology, society, and the firm is a course taught in the first semester with the firm and the role of technology in business as the overarching theme. The course will introduce the student to the importance of technology to society as a whole, as well as its parts - industries, consumers, and firms. This naturally bridges the second and third semesters of the program emphasizing the use and management of technology and technological changes. SOC1 lays out the foundation for SOC2, both of which take a broader perspective on the role of the firm in society, addressing the many dilemmas and opportunities that technological development has created and will create. SOC1 is also intertwined with BUD1 and COM1 taught in the first semester of the BEDS program.

  In SOC1, we will study the effects of technology and technological changes and answer questions such as:

  • How are markets, businesses, and economies affected by technological disruptions?
  • What role has technological change played in the development of society, economy, industries, and firms?
  • Which factors promote technological change and development and how are they incorporated in businesses and organizations to obtain growth and development?

  To answer these questions, we draw on theories on technological change and its impact on the economy, the firm, and society. We will use qualitative and quantitative approaches, including theoretical and empirical studies. We will use classroom teaching, case studies, and group work as teaching methods.

  The course is structured around four modules:

  Module 1. Technological change, economic growth, and sustainability at the country level

  Module 2. Technological change, labor markets, and product markets

  Module 3. Technological change and the firm

  Module 4. Technological change and political structure

• Learning outcome

  Upon completion of this course, the student can:

  Knowledge

  • identify various mechanisms through which technologies affect economies and their development
  • describe the empirical effects of technologies on firms, markets, and the environment
  • explain the interconnectedness of firms, governments, political structure and technological change

  Skills

  • analyze the impact of technological changes on specific firms, markets, economies and the environment
  • use these insights and tools to predict the impact of current and future technological advancements

  General competence

  • discuss the costs and benefits of new technologies' adoptions for individuals, firms, and society as a whole
  • explain how the UN Sustainable Development Goals affect and are affected by technological changes

• Teaching

  The course consists of lectures, class discussions, group work and student presentations.

• Restricted access

  None

• Recommended prerequisites

  None.

• Required prerequisites

  None.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None.

• Compulsory Activity

  Students are expected to attend in 75% of the lectures and contribute actively in class. 

  All students are required to take part in:

  • Group work including presentation in class.
  • Class discussions on various topics.
  • Attending and commenting on other groups’ presentations.

• Assessment

  The assessment will be based (100%) on an individual pen and paper school exam (3 hours). The exam answer must be written in English.

• Grading Scale

  Grading scale is A-F.

• Literature

  Overview of the literature will be provided in Leganto.

• Permitted Support Material

  One bilingual dictionary (Category I) 

  All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support material https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/ and https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/  

• Retake

  SOC1 is offered in the autumn semester. Retake is offered early in the non-teaching semester, first time in January/February 2025 for student who were registered for the exam in SOC1 at the time of the exam in the teaching semester, and that do not have at passing grade.