Economic Organization, Capabilities and Coordination: (Routledge Studies in Business Organizations and Networks)

G.B. Richardson is often thought of as the 'founding father' of the theory of the firm or market. His work has given insights into key issues and debates such as markets versus hierarchies, price stability, the economics of information and the concept of competition based uopn differentiated firms. Yet whilst he is often quoted, few people are familiar with his original work. Drawn from a recent colloquium held in his honour, the papers in this volume tie in with the themes central in G.B. Richardson's work, addressing their significance, their relationship to the work of other economists and their potential for further development. The first few chapters cover themes related to the comparative neglect of Richardson's work, such as the links with a Marshallian school and the connection with Austrian thinking. Later chapters go on to discuss modern thinking on the theory of the firm, connections between economic and management approaches, as well as applications of the 'Richardson model' on collaborative arrangements, the growth of the firm and innovation policy. Crucially, the book also includes a recent essay by G.B. Richardson himself, which clearly shows the continuing development of his ideas. This collection aims to encourage further development of Richardson's themes. It will make excellent reading for students looking at the capability or competence approach to the firm, and for all those wishing to get to know the work of this important economist. Richard Arena, Universite de Nice-Sophia Antipolis; Mark Casson, University of Reading, UK; Claire Charbit, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Telecommunications, Paris, France; Pe

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: Coordination and Capabilities Nicolai J. Foss and Brian J. Loasby 2. George Richardson's Career and the Literature of Economics Peter E. Earl 3. Some Principles of Economic Organization George B. Richardson 4. Cooperation and Competition Paradoxes in the Theory of the Organization of Industry Jacques-Laurent Ravix 5. Marshall, Andrews and Robinson on Markets: An Interpretation Richard Arena and Claire Charbit 6. Information and Investment in a Wider Context Denis O'Brien 7. Information and Coordination in an Effective Competitive Process: Downie's Evolutionary Model as a Means of Resolving Richardson's Problem with Competition in the Context of Post-Marshallian Economics John Nightingale 8. Austrian and Post-Marshallian Economics: The Bridging Work of George B. Richardson Nicolai J. Foss 9. The Concept of Capabilities Brian Loasby 10. Capabilities and the Theory of the Firm Richard N. Langlois 11. Information Costs and the Organizational Structure of the Multinational Enterprise Mark Casson 12. Clusters of Collaboration: The Firm, Joint Ventures, Alliances and Clubs Neil M. Kay 13. Limits to a Firm's Rate of Growth: the Richardsonian View and Its Contemporary Significance Gavin C. Reid 14. Information, Similar and Complementary Assets, and Innovation Policy Paul L. Robertson