Microeconomics of Competitiveness: firms, clusters, and economic development (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

One contact session per week for 1.5 hours, starting in week 10 and ending in week 19. No contact sessions in week 18.

Objective

You understand the key determinants of sustainable competitiveness for firms, countries, and regions. You can assess the quality of the business environment. You understand the importance of clusters and how cluster members such as network partners, industry associations, universities, and government can contribute to enhancing sustainable competitiveness.

The competences to develop in this course are sustainable global business management and sustainable development.

Sustainable global business management: You understand the key determinants of sustainable competitiveness for firms and clusters. You apply disciplinary knowledge to analyze their challenges of competitiveness for firms and propose sustainable solutions.

Sustainable development: You understand the key determinants of sustainable competitiveness for countries and regions. You apply disciplinary knowledge to analyze their challenges of competitiveness for countries and regions and propose sustainable solutions.

Content

Sustainable competitiveness of firms, countries, and regions; economic development, prosperity, productivity, social progress index, quality of the business environment, diamond model, clusters, cluster mapping, cluster policies, cluster initiatives, cluster dynamics

Materials

Porter, M. (2008). On Competition. The Harvard Business Review Book Series.

You will also read articles and case materials that will be provided by the lecturer.

Teaching methods

Blended learning: a combination of face-to-face learning and independent learning

You will learn through face-to-face interaction in the classroom in lectures and group work. This will be complemented by independent study through individual and group assignments.

Employer connections

There is no internship.

Exam schedules

There is no exam.

International connections

The contents of this course are originally based on learning materials from Michael Porter's Microeconomics of Competitiveness network, where Jamk was a member from 2011 until 2023, together with more than 100 universities from all around the world.

Completion alternatives

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

Student workload

Lectures 15 hours
Preparing for the lectures 30 hours
Preparing case assignments 30 hours
Group project 50 hours
Individual assignments 10 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1: You understand the key concepts of sustainable competitiveness at a sufficient level but fail to use them to assess the sustainable competitiveness of a company, a country, a region or a cluster. You have challenges to communicate your findings in oral and written form in a well-structured manner. There are issues in complying with JAMK reporting instructions.
Satisfactory 2: You understand the key concepts of sustainable competitiveness at a satisfactory level and attempt to use them to assess the sustainable competitiveness of a company, a country, a region or a cluster. You are able to communicate your findings in oral and written form responsibly. There are some issues in complying with JAMK reporting instructions.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3: You have a good understanding of the key concepts of sustainable competitiveness and use them well to assess the sustainable competitiveness of a company, a country, a region or a cluster. You are able to communicate your findings in oral and written form responsibly in a well-structured manner. There are some issues in complying with JAMK reporting instructions.
Very good 4: You have a very good understanding of the key concepts of sustainable competitiveness and use them innovatively to assess the sustainable competitiveness of a company, a country, a region or a cluster. You are able to communicate your findings in oral and written form responsibly in a well-structured manner. There are minor issues in complying with JAMK reporting instructions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

You have a thorough understanding of the key concepts of sustainable competitiveness and apply them critically to assess the sustainable competitiveness of a company, a country, a region or a cluster. You are able to communicate your findings in oral and written form responsibly and in a well-structured manner, complying fully with JAMK reporting instructions.

Qualifications

Competences of Bacherlor's degree

Further information

You will be assessed based on group assignments, an individual assignment, and your active participation in the class.