Adaptation Specialization And The Theory Of The Firm

An up-to-date analysis of the theory of the firm, including the latest research on the resource-based view.

The theory of the firm did not exist, in any serious manner, until around 1970. Only then did the current theory of the firm literature begin to emerge, based largely upon the work of Ronald Coase and to a lesser degree Frank Knight. It was work by Armen Alchian, Robert Crawford, Harold Demsetz, Michael Jensen, Benjamin Klein, William Meckling and Oliver Williamson, among others, that drove the upswing in interest in the firm among mainstream economists. This accessible book provides a valuable overview of the ‘prehistory’ of the firm. Spanning an impressive timeline, it delves into Antiquity, the Medieval era, the pre-classical economics period and the 19th and 20th centuries. Next, the book traces the theoretical contributions from pre-classical, classical and neoclassical economics. It will be illuminating reading for students and researchers of the history of economic thought, industrial organization, microeconomic theory and business history.

This accessible text provides an insight into the growing global trend of crowdfunding as a source of entrepreneurial finance. Grounded in academic literature, this book looks at the micro and macro issues within crowdfunding, from the entrepreneur’s access to finance at the business level, to the role of government in regulating the market. It helps the reader develop a sound understanding of crowdfunding as a source of finance, the crowdfunding process and potential options when faced with start-up funding issues. A range of international case studies of successful and unsuccessful crowdfunding campaigns help readers to apply theory to real-life scenarios. Readers are also supported throughout the book with chapter objectives and summaries, key terms, discussion questions and further reading guidance. Instructor materials such as slides and test questions are available as digital supplements. Crowdfunding and Entrepreneurship will be a valuable resource for students of new venture creation and entrepreneurial finance, as well as entrepreneurs exploring crowdfunding as an option for business development.

Advances in Strategic Management is dedicated to communicating innovative, new research that advances theory and practice in Strategic Management. This volume focuses on organization design and collaborative ways of working.

An authoritative overview of the prior development, current state, and future opportunities in strategic management The strategic management field, now a vibrant arena that offers valuable knowledge for managerial practice, has experienced significant growth in the more than forty years since its inception. And, until now, there has not been a book that captured the rich breadth and depth of knowledge of the discipline, while also looking to the future. Strategic Management provides a critical overview of the prior development, current state, and future opportunities in the strategic management field. Editors Irene M. Duhaime, Michael A. Hitt, and Marjorie A. Lyles bring together an exceptional group of scholars to explore specialized topics such as corporate strategy, strategic entrepreneurship, cooperative strategies, global strategy, strategic leadership, governance, innovation, strategy process and strategy practice, and strategic human capital. The book focuses heavily on the future developments and research opportunities available in the field, while also providing a solid base of knowledge for understanding strategic management as a whole. With articles from major leaders in the field, this authoritative volume will be useful to every strategic management scholar.

This book examines what mechanisms enable science-intensive organizations to broaden beneficiaries of science in urban settings. Focusing on organizations that constitute urban resilience systems and networks, it maps the contributions of academic institutions, established multinationals, and entrepreneur firms in environmental, material, and related life sciences. It then develops a model of strategy and governance for organizations to invest in and implement new environmental material science projects. This book provides researchers with a framework based on management theories of R&D and resource allocation for resolving urban issues.

This book contributes to the development of a relational view of economics. Bringing together experts from various disciplines, it offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the study of relational transactions. In contrast to discrete market transactions as a traditional subject of economic discourse, the book analyses the role of relational transactions in the study of economic phenomena. The contributing authors address topics such as global intra- and inter-company networks, intersectoral stakeholder management, relational contracts, and transcultural management approaches. Accordingly, the book makes an important contribution to an emerging field of research.

This practical book offers a guide to finding, choosing, and applying theoretical frameworks to social sciences research, and provides researchers with the scaffolding needed to reflect on their philosophical orientations and better situate their work in the existing landscape of empirical and theoretical knowledge. Using a multifaceted approach, the book provides clear definitions, primary tenets, historical context, highlights of the challenges and contemporary discussion and, perhaps more importantly, concrete and successful examples of studies that have drawn on and incorporated each theoretical framework. The authors define and explain the connections among such concepts as ontology, epistemology, paradigm, theory, theoretical frameworks, conceptual frameworks, and research methodology; describe the process of finding and effectively using theoretical and conceptual frameworks in research; and offer brief overviews of particular theories within the following disciplines: sociology, psychology, education, leadership, public policy, political science, economics, organizational studies, and business. The book also has a dedicated chapter on critical theories, and for each theory, provides a definition, explores how the theory is useful for researchers, discusses the background and foundations, outlines key terms and concepts, presents examples of theoretical applications, and gives an overview of strengths and limitations. This book offers a useful starting point for any researcher interested in better situating their work in existing conceptual and theoretical knowledge, but it will be especially useful for graduate students and early career researchers who are looking for clear definitions of complex terms and concepts, and for an introduction to useful theories across disciplines.