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Productive Systems and the Structuring Role of Economic and Social Theories

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  • Frank Wilkinson

Abstract

The institutions of productive systems are structured by mutual interests and relative power. Securing mutually beneficial cooperation in production requires resolving distributional differences. These objectives are secured in liberal economic theory by the working of markets which mediate the power of individuals and reward individual success. The centrality of individuals and hierarchies in market theory contrasts with developments in labour management theory which identifies group activity and decentralised responsibility as productive factors and organisations as unitary. This neglects the separate interest that productive partners have and the role of institutions in resolving conflicts in productive systems to secure productive co-operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Wilkinson, 2002. "Productive Systems and the Structuring Role of Economic and Social Theories," Working Papers wp225, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cbr:cbrwps:wp225
    Note: PRO-2
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    File URL: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/cbrwp225/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Glyn, Andrew & Hughes, Alan & Lipietz, Alan & Sigh, Ajit, "undated". "The Rise and Fall of the Golden Age," WIDER Working Papers 295573, United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    4. Ichniowski, Casey & Shaw, Kathryn & Prennushi, Giovanna, 1997. "The Effects of Human Resource Management Practices on Productivity: A Study of Steel Finishing Lines," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(3), pages 291-313, June.
    5. F. Wilkinson, 2001. "The Theory and Practice of Wage Subsidisation: Some Historical Reflections," Working Papers wp201, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    6. Burchell, Brendan & Wilkinson, Frank, 1997. "Trust, Business Relationships and the Contractual Environment," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 21(2), pages 217-237, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Andersen, Birgitte & Konzelmann, Sue, 2008. "In search of a useful theory of the productive potential of intellectual property rights," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 12-28, February.
    2. Paul Sissons, 2021. "The local low skills equilibrium: Moving from concept to policy utility," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(8), pages 1543-1560, June.
    3. Suzanne Konzelmann & Neil Conway & Linda Trenberth & Frank Wilkinson, 2005. "Corporate governance, stake-holding and the nature of employment relations within the firm," Working Papers wp313, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    4. Charles Craypo & Frank Wilkinson, 2011. "The Low Road to Competitive Failure: Immigrant Labour and Emigrant Jobs in the US," Chapters, in: Jonathan Michie (ed.), The Handbook of Globalisation, Second Edition, chapter 17, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Productive systems; co-operation; liberal economics; industrial psychology; industrial sociology; collective bargaining and labour standards.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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