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A critical survey of J. K. Arrow'S theory of knowledge

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  • Vahabi, Mehrdad

Abstract

In my critical review of Arrow's theory of information, I show that despite its great achievements, this theory lacks the tacit, institutionalized, unexpected and non-rational dimensions of knowledge. The organizational or corporate culture cannot be derived from market failure or market imperfection. It is the direct outcome of internal organization of firm and other social networks, and thus closely related to learned and transmitted knowledge in a group context. Hence knowledge does not simply reflect the limits of market (as suggested by Arrow, 1974), and the presence of parametrical uncertainty, it implies the power of organization and networks in the face of radical uncertainty.

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  • Vahabi, Mehrdad, 1996. "A critical survey of J. K. Arrow'S theory of knowledge," MPRA Paper 37888, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 1997.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:37888
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    Cited by:

    1. Mehrdad Vahabi, 1999. "From Walrasian General Equilibrium to Incomplete Contracts: Making Sense of Institutions," Post-Print halshs-03704424, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information and knowlege; Tacit knowledge; Team theory; Screening and Education; Market limits; individualistic and collective knowledge;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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