SAM16 Economic Growth and Development

• Topics

  We examine the strategies that different countries have used to maximize their advantages - and minimize their disadvantages - in order to generate economic growth and development. We use economic tools (theoretical and empirical) to structure our analysis. 

  Much of the first part of the course focuses on strategies to maximize the value of the national stock of human capital, taking the Philippines, Iceland and Singapore as case studies. 

  The second part of the course examines economic growth in China, India and Japan, particularly looking at the timing and nature of their economic acceleration and the challenges that they face in maintaining their high performance.

  The third part of the course focuses on institutions as both consequences of economic growth, and as a source of growth performance. It considers the role of inherited institutions - as in the cases of South Africa and Saudi Arabia - and the failure of formal institutions, in the form of corruption.

  The fourth part of the course considers how we can, and perhaps should, measure economic growth, taking into consideration the environment, health and well-being, as well as GDP.

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Upon completion of the course, the student can…

  • recognize different metrics of economic growth (such as GDP, TFP, green GDP, Human Development Index, "Happy Planet Index") and understand their pros and cons.
  • identify the different growth strategies pursued by various developing and developed countries.
  • understand the roles of human capital, natural resources, technology, capital and institutions in generating economic growth.

  Skills

  • use the empirical and theoretical tool kit of economists to frame and analyze problems that we see in the world.
  • analyze economic research papers on economic growth and development.

  General competence

  • participate in informed discussions of key challenges in securing economic growth, such as climate change, adapting to resource constraints, improving human capital and technology.

• Teaching

  The course is structured around the analysis of Harvard Business School cases. We collaborate to work up an analysis in real time in the classroom. Students work in small groups to prepare each case in advance. Each week, every group member should read the case and (at least) one of the items on the accompanying reading list, and then discuss them with the rest of their work group. In this way, all - or most - of the reading materials assigned each week will be covered by every group. The group can use this discussion to prepare their responses to the accompanying assignment questions, which we discuss in class. There is an emphasis on independent study in this course. Students should expect to read extensively, and discuss extensively with their team mates, before we work out solutions in class.

• Required prerequisites

  None.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None.

• Compulsory Activity

  Students must participate (i.e. speak) regularly in class in order to be eligible to take the exam.

• Assessment

  The students are graded based on a 3-hour individual digital school exam.

  All answers must be written in English.

• Grading Scale

  Grading scale A - F

• Computer tools

  None.

• Literature

  First, each week's class discussion will revolve around a Harvard Business School case; the case collection should therefore be purchased by the students, using the link to the course pack on the Harvard Business School Publishing website. Second, the cases will be supplemented each week by a selection of research papers that are available via Leganto.

  Required readings:

  The collection of Harvard Business School cases; the associated research papers.

• Permitted Support Material

  One bilingual dictionary (Category I)

  in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support materialhttps://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/