Managing Strategic Partnerships and Digital Platform Ecosystems: The Economics of (Digital) Organizations (MSB201)
No business is an island! Companies' relationships with other firms are essential for economic success.
Understanding how organizations operating different business models can seize the benefits from networks of
partnerships and alliances with other companies, including customers, suppliers, and competitors, is vital to providing
companies with advice on achieving strategic competitiveness. This course covers the nature of a firm's relationships
with other firms, including strategic partnerships and digital platform ecosystems, and how these relationships are
managed. By integrating research and real-life examples, students learn how firms can unlock the advantages of
interfirm relationships in a digital economy. How a firm creates value has fundamental implications for the nature of its
relationships with other firms and how these relationships are governed.
NB! This is an elective course and may be cancelled if fewer than 15 students are enrolled by August 20th for the
autumn semester.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
MSB201
Version
3
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
English
Content
This course covers the nature of a firm's relationships with other firms, including strategic partnerships and digital
platform ecosystems, and how these relationships are managed. By integrating research and real-life examples,
students learn how firms can unlock the advantages of interfirm relationships in a digital economy.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, students will know of:
• Theories of the economics of organizations and digital economics
• How theories of interfirm relationships are applied across different business models
• Methods to study the governance of strategic partnerships and digital platform ecosystems
Skills
After completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Explain theories of interfirm relationships
• Present how theories of interfirm relationships are applied in different business models
- • Discuss the choice of theory and method to study strategic partnerships and digital platform ecosystems
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Portfolio in groups and final written exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio in groups | 4/10 | Letter grades | All | |
| Final written exam | 6/10 | 4 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
Written assignments
Students will be required to submit a portfolio of mandatory work in groups.
Final exam
The final exam will cover the readings, lectures, and written assignments. Re-sit exam.
To take the final exam, students must pass the he portfolio requirements
You may also be asked to submit an assessment of your class participation and a peer evaluation. All parts of the
evaluation must be passed to get a grade in the course. Students failing the portfolio evaluation will be given the
opportunity to take a deferred exam. This exam will take the form of new written individual assignments.
Coursework requirements
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Kenneth Henning WathneStudy Program Director:
Yuko OnozakaStudy Program Director:
Ingeborg Foldøy SolliMethod of work
The class meets regularly throughout the semester, and a set of required readings are assigned for each meeting. Students are expected to thoroughly read and analyze all the required readings prior to each meeting. Readings may be added to the list.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Business to Business Marketing (MSB201_2) | 5 |