Abstract
The main thrust of this chapter is to compare and link two separate literatures that claim to provide a coherent account of organizational evolution. On the one hand we have transaction cost theory, arguably dominant within economics, which uses a universal efficiency-seeking logic; on the other hand we have various approaches to the understanding of corporate restructuring that, while being different, all emphasize a shifting strategic logic. It will be argued in this chapter that these two bodies of literature provide differing approaches to organizational evolution that can benefit from the insights offered by each.
The author wishes to acknowledge, and thank, the participants of the workshop who took the time to read and comment on his work. Their efforts have improved the content and the presentation of the arguments in this contribution. Needless to say the obvious rider, about ambiguities, omissions and errors, still applies.
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Dietrich, M. (1996). Opportunism, Learning, and Organizational Evolution. In: Groenewegen, J. (eds) Transaction Cost Economics and Beyond. Recent Economic Thought Series, vol 48. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1800-9_12
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