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Vertical Integration in High-Transaction Cost Sectors: The Case of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Industry

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  • Todorova, Tamara

Abstract

Economic theory provides various explanations for vertical integration but transaction costs seem to be a major determinant of backward, forward and lateral integration. The paper studies integration trends in the newly emerging Bulgarian pharmaceutical sector, seeking transaction cost explanations to the forward integration taking place in it. We hypothesize that asset specificity, above all, determines many of the organizational transformations and adaptations Bulgarian pharmaceutical companies are undergoing. Having special attributes, their products and assets seem to favor a larger size of the companies. Furthermore, as a low-trust, high-transaction cost economy, the Bulgarian economy dictates that a larger scale of operations be internalised within firms rather than carried out by the market.

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  • Todorova, Tamara, 2010. "Vertical Integration in High-Transaction Cost Sectors: The Case of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Industry," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 1(2 (Winter), pages 127-138.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:172498
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    Cited by:

    1. Tamara Todorova, 2011. "Adverse Effects of Transaction Costs in East European Economies," Organizations and Markets in Emerging Economies, Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, vol. 2(1).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    vertical integration; transaction costs; asset specificity; distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L42 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Vertical Restraints; Resale Price Maintenance; Quantity Discounts
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights

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