Econometrics I (7.5 ECTS)
- Syllabi Econometrics I (EKHM65)
The course is mandatory for students who have not previously studied econometrics at the corresponding level. This course provides the student with a fundamental understanding of the theoretical and methodological problems associated with quantitative approaches to economic history. The first part consists of basic theory and methods relating to multivariate linear regression, limited dependent variable regression and time series analysis. It also considers how to apply these methods through examples of how such methods are used in economic history. This part also introduces computer software (e.g. Stata) for quantitative analysis. In the second part of the course, students analyse a quantitative problem using actual data from economic history, and report results in individual papers.
Econometrics II (7.5 ECTS)
- Syllabi Econometrics II (EKHM66)
The course is mandatory for students who have previously studied econometrics at a level corresponding to Econometrics I. This course provides the student with more advanced theory and methods relating to causal approaches surpassing the multivariate linear regression, limited dependent variable regression and time series analysis covered by Econometrics I. It also considers how to apply these methods through examples of how such methods are used in economic history. It discusses issues like selection bias, the bad control problem, and unobserved heterogeneity and the pitfalls associated with them as well as the possibilities to deal with these issues. This part advances the knowledge of empirical analysis making use of computer software (e.g. Stata). In the second part of the course, students independently analyse a more advanced quantitative problem using actual data from economic history, and report results in individual papers, showing awareness of the pros and cons of various causal approaches in econometrics.
Research design (7.5 ECTS)
The general issue of the course concerns what distinguish scientific research and writing from journalism or everyday reporting. The course presents students with examples of how researchers engage in influential academic debates, within the social sciences in general and economic history and innovation studies specifically. The students are trained in identifying research aims, testable hypotheses, and research questions that are relevant in relation to existing research. They are also trained in understanding the role and use of theory in conceptualizing and problematizing fundamentals when designing and conducting research. Transparency and the possibility for readers to repeat the analysis is further emphasized. The course will present a variety of potential sources and data collection techniques as well as carefully deal with the importance of source criticism. Teachers will guide students in discussions on different methodological approaches and potential methods, including their suitability in relation to research questions and data.
Economics of Innovation (7.5 ECTS)
This course covers several areas of innovation economics, such as their characteristics, their driving forces of innovation and how innovation affects economic growth and development. Some of the specific topics covered in the course are the following: (1) Market structures and innovation. This part of the course describes how competitive structures and imperfect competition may induce innovation in different industries. (2) Diffusion. This theme discusses the implications of why innovation spreads and how it spreads into the economic environment form different perspectives. Concepts discussed include adoption, imitation and spillovers. We consider the relatively new field of network economics as well. (3) The role of innovation in economic growth. In this theme we will examine the role of innovation in economic growth through processes related to radical innovations, general purpose technologies, competence blocks and development blocks. (4) Institutions and innovation. Drawing on the systems of innovation literature, this theme addresses how the institutional framework affects innovation. Some of these aspects are related to national innovation systems (NIS), a concept for comparative analysis of innovative performance. Innovation processes and interdependencies within a more local or regional context are further analysed focusing on regional innovation systems (RIS). This course serves as an introduction to some of the themes that will be discussed in the advanced course on Innovation for Sustainable Development
Innovation for Sustainable Development (7.5 ECTS)
This is a highly multidisciplinary course based on economics of innovation, sustainability studies and development studies. This is an advanced course which builds on notions introduced in the “Economics of Innovation” and the “Energy transitions, Innovation and Trade” courses. The students will be introduced to the hard and soft notions of sustainability and discuss how economic growth relates to socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable development and the role of innovations in achieving sustainable development. Topics covered throughout the course include inclusive, social and sustainable innovations and innovation systems. Theoretical insights will be complemented with practical cases of innovations for sustainable development around the world. Examples of the so-called Nordic model will be combined with cases of innovation from developed and developing countries.
Energy transitions, Innovation and Trade (7.5 ECTS)
Modern economic growth has been sustained over two centuries but will it remain sustainable? Environmental problems, in particular climate change, may cause backlash with severe consequences for human civilization. With the widening of modern economic growth to low-income countries, such as China and India, this dismal outlook seems substantiated. However, according to one theory, transformations of industrial economies to service economies reduce the exploitation of natural resources and environmental damage. Other theories have confidence in technological change that, for example, will develop renewable and sustainable energy sources. This course puts these and related theories into the perspective of the long-term global evidence. Particular emphasis is laid on the present state of the art as regards the economics of energy technology as well as the institutional incentives and constraints for innovation in this field. Specific attention is paid to global linkages as we explored energy embodied in European and global trade using specific decomposition techniques, which will be explained in class.
Development of Emerging Economies (7.5 ECTS)
This course examines growth dynamics of the developing world during the last decades, explored in a comparative and historical perspective. The question of why some developing economies have been able to set in motion catching-up processes, while others remain stagnant, will be discussed aided by historical-theoretical perspectives with the main focus on countries in Pacific Asia, Africa South of the Sahara and Latin America. It will be theoretically and empirically assessed to what extent the growth of the so-called global South might be sustained. The course is divided into two parts. The first puts heavy emphasis on readings and lectures on analytical perspectives of development and catching up from the viewpoint of classical, although current, questions such as: the role of agricultural transformation, growth-inequality, market integration, possibilities for and experiences of industrial policy, technology transfer, social capabilities, market-state relationship, governance and domestic resource mobilization, poverty/human development. The second part of the course is more student-driven and is devoted to seminar assignments where highly topical themes are discussed on the basis of available empirical data. This course is compulsory only for students staying in Lund for the third semester.
Globalization of Innovation (7.5 ECTS)
This is a seminar-based course offered only to a limited number of second year students enrolled in the Master program in Innovation and Global Sustainable Development. The course provides a basic understanding of how different innovation strategies are formed for firms to compete globally. It will concentrate primarily on outlining the changing patterns of global organisation of innovation, global resourcing for innovation, and global creation and dissemination of knowledge. It will introduce theories and tools for students to acquire understanding of globalisation of innovation and to develop firm’s global innovation strategy. The course is organized around seven topical sessions. For each topical session the students will have compulsory readings that will be discussed in class. Additionally, the students will be required to prepare a practical case.
Fieldwork (15 ECTS)
The course is an opportunity for students who are interested in conducting field work for the upcoming Master thesis. It is intended for fieldwork in developing countries which require lengthier time for preparation and execution but other destinations for fieldwork might be considered if duly justified. It also serves for gathering material for the forthcoming Master thesis. The course will be divided into two parts, each of them assessed separately. Part 1. Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis (3 ECTS) and Part 2. Innovative practice (12 ECTS): The stay abroad will last for a minimum of 8 weeks full-time. The assessment is based on a portfolio assessment that consists of four parts: 1) a fieldwork research proposal which the student is encouraged to prepare throughout the fall semester, 2) a methods section of a qualitative research proposal after the qualitative methodology course, 3) a fieldwork diary during the fieldwork and 4) a fieldwork report after the fieldwork. The course will be offered only during the spring semester for second year students. The destination of the fieldwork needs to be approved by the program director. All fieldwork arrangements need to be conducted by the student. The financing of trips, insurance, living conditions etc. is the sole responsibility of the student (standard insurance is to be obtained for fieldwork abroad). The Department and Program will strive to assist the student in finding suitable counterparts in the host countries when possible.
Innovative practice (15 ECTS)
This course aims at giving the students experience in the practice of developing innovative solutions to address global sustainable development challenges and to form competences and skills working in a development context. It also serves for gathering material for the forthcoming Master thesis. This course will take place in collaboration with a partner university of a developing country with a similar program, in order to provide a twinning structure where students of both universities collaborate to help to solve a practical, real-life innovation challenge. The two participating universities will jointly make a decision on a chosen innovation challenge each time well before the course will begin. The course will be divided into two parts, each of them assessed separately. Part 1. Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis (3 ECTS) and Part 2. Innovative practice (12 ECTS): The stay abroad will last for a minimum of 8 weeks full-time. The assessment is based on a portfolio assessment that consists of two individual assessments and two group assessments: 1) a group project plan for a feasibility study of a practical innovation project; 2) a method section of an individual qualitative research proposal after the qualitative methodology course; 3) a group report on the innovative practice and 4) an individual fieldwork diary. The availability of this course will depend on existing formal agreements with partner universities and might not be available every year. The location might also change from year to year depending on the agreements between universities. The students are responsible to make all travel arrangements and make sure that they are in the destination country on the requested day of the start of the practice. The financing of trips, insurance, living conditions etc. is the sole responsibility of the student (standard insurance is to be obtained for fieldwork abroad). The Department and Program will strive to assist the student in finding suitable accommodations close to the university and the fieldwork area in collaboration with the local university. The course will be offered during the spring semester to second year students of the Master in Innovation and Global Sustainable Development.
Internship (15 ECTS)
The course provides the student the opportunity of undertaking work experience that is relevant to the ongoing studies within the program as well as to provide an opportunity to gather material for the forthcoming master thesis. With the support of on-site supervision at the internship facility, the student will gain experience in sophisticated work assignments with continuous collaboration. The course will be divided into two parts. Part 1. Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis (3 ECTS). Part 2. Internship (12 ECTS). The internship will have a minimum duration of 12 weeks full-time. Assessment is based on a portfolio assessment that consists of four parts: 1) an internship proposal which the student is encouraged to prepare throughout the fall semester , 2) a methods section of a qualitative research proposal that follows directly after the qualitative methodology course, 3) an internship diary and 4) an internship report, after the internship. The course will be offered only during the spring semester for second year students. Sourcing suitable internships as well as the financing of trips, insurance, living conditions etc. is the sole responsibility of the student (standard insurance is to be obtained for internships abroad). Internships need to be approved by the program director.