Program:

The   theory of the firm: general overview, economic background and chronological   evolution

Boundaries   of the firm and contracting view of the firm

Letture   Jensen e Meckling, Jensen 86, Arrow

Behavioral   theory of the firm

Resource-based   theory, capabilities view and the knowledge-based theory of the firm

Evolutionary   theory

Changing nature of   the firm: organization, power and theory of the firm

Looking   for a theory of the firm: Future challenges

Theory   of the firm and its applications on make-or-buy problem

Theory   of the firm and its applications in empirical research

What   Determines Firm Size?

Firm’s   objective and theory of value 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion.

Course literature

A general literature is provided below, and it has to be part of the basic knowledge before the first class of the course.

¨  La Rocca Maurizio, 2001, Teorie sull’impresa, workingpaper n.14 Dip.To Organizzazione Aziendale – Unical.

¨  Mahoney Joseph, 2005, Economic Foundations of Strategy, London: Sage.

¨  Sciarelli S., L. Solima e G. Maggiore (1994), Evoluzione degli studi di economia d'impresa in una prospettiva interdisciplinare in “Finanza Marketing e Produzione”, supplemento dedicato alla Economia dell'impresa negli anni '90.

¨   David Kreps, 1997, “Economics: The Current Position,” Daedalus 126: 59-86

Moreover, each unit requires specific papers to read, provided one week before the class.

 

Grading

The final grade will be determined by the scores on the class presentations and discussion (50%) given routinely and on a final assignment (50%).