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The Chandlerian corporation and the theory of innovative enterprise

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  • William Lazonick

Abstract

Through the synthesis of business history into a coherent and powerful analytical framework, Alfred Chandler made an enduring intellectual contribution to the social sciences. This essay outlines the implications of Chandler's perspective for the theory of innovative enterprise, embeds that theory in the "social conditions of innovative enterprise" analytical framework, demonstrates the illogic of the neoclassical "monopoly model", and contends that the analysis of the dynamics and performance of industrial capitalism requires a methodology that integrates theory and history. Copyright 2010 The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.

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  • William Lazonick, 2010. "The Chandlerian corporation and the theory of innovative enterprise," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 19(2), pages 317-349, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:19:y:2010:i:2:p:317-349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jo, Tae-Hee & Henry, John F., 2013. "Take the Money and Run: The Business Enterprise in the Age of Money Manager Capitalism," MPRA Paper 48782, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    8. Lukasz Kuzminski & Michal Nadolny & Henryk Wojtaszek, 2021. "On the Apparent Dependence of the Activities of Innovative Enterprises in the Mazovia Voivodeship on the Awareness of Pro-Innovative Management," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 840-850.
    9. Driver, Ciaran & Guedes, Maria João Coelho, 2012. "Research and development, cash flow, agency and governance: UK large companies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(9), pages 1565-1577.
    10. Callegari, Beniamino & Nybakk, Erlend, 2022. "Schumpeterian theory and research on forestry innovation and entrepreneurship: The state of the art, issues and an agenda," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    11. Clougherty, Joseph A. & Grajek, Michał, 2023. "Decertification in quality-management standards by incrementally and radically innovative organizations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    12. Tomàs Fernández-de-Sevilla & Armando J Dalla Costa, 2017. "The formation and take-off of the Sao Paulo automobile-industry cluster," Working Papers 17014, Economic History Society.
    13. Antonelli, Cristiano & Tubiana, Matteo, 2023. "The rate and direction of technological change and wealth and income inequalities in advanced countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    14. Ju, Xiaosheng & Jiang, Shengjun & Zhao, Qifeng, 2023. "Innovation effects of academic executives: Evidence from China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(3).
    15. Reddy, Niall, 2024. "“Downsize And Distribute” Or “Merge And Monopolize”? A Critique Of Corporate Financialization Theories," SocArXiv 2zy5h, Center for Open Science.
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