Knowledge, Scale and Transactions in the Theory of the Firm

by Mario Morroni

Overview

Firms in market economies vary enormously in size, nature and competitiveness. In this important contribution to the literature on the theory of the firm, Mario Morroni provides a fresh analytical framework which improves our understanding of the causes of this diversity in organisational design and performance. The relations between internal and external basic conditions, decision-making mechanisms and organisational co-ordination are addressed, as are the circumstances in which capabilities, transactions and scale-scope considerations interact. With the emergence of the knowledge-based economy and the increasing pressure of global competition, the development of capabilities is acquiring ever greater importance in boosting competitiveness. Morroni shows that long-term relational agreements enhance learning processes and offer powerful tools for improving competitiveness in a context of conflicting interests, incomplete knowledge and uncertainty.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521123181
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/12/2009
Pages:	372
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mario Morroni is Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Economics of the University of Pisa, Italy.

Table of Contents

Figures; Tables; Acknowledgements; Introduction and summary; 1. Basic conditions; 2. Decision making; 3. Organisational co-ordination; 4. Wrestling with uncertainty; 5. Uncertainty-decreasing strategies within firms; 6. By way of a conclusion: growth of the firm as the interplay between the three aspects of organisational co-ordination; Glossary; References.

Editorial Reviews

"This study, a major contribution to the theory of firm, provides a new analytical framework that improves our understanding of the causes of this diversity in organizational design and performance."
-Abstracts of Public Administration, Development, and Environment

From the Publisher