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Questions relating to the existence and nature of firms have
become important issues in economics in recent years. In this major new work,
Neil Kay provides original explanations for many phenomena in this area. The analysis
is set in the context of an integrative framework for analysing the boundaries
and structure of the firm. The book analyses the firm
as a complex system in which links composed of shared resources constitute basic
building blocks. The evolution of the firm from simple beginnings to complex system
is then studied in a number of areas, including vertical integration, diversification,
multi-national enterprise, joint venture, alliance, network, and internal organization.
Neil Kay's analysis advances current theories of the firm and
will be essential reading for students and academics in the areas of business
economics, strategic management, and organization theory. Neil
M. Kay is Professor of Business Economics at the University of Strathclyde. He
previously taught at Nottingham and Heriot-Watt universities, and has help visiting
positions at the University of California (Irvine) and the European University
(Florence). In addition to publishing five books and numerous articles in the
area of industrial economics and strategic management, he has advised private
and governmental institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme
and the UK government.
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