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Plural forms of organization: where do we stand?

Author

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  • Claude Ménard

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper addresses a puzzling problem: why do parties often choose to combine alternative modes of organizations simultaneously while dealing with identical or almost identical transactions? I propose a model to capture these so-called 'plural forms' and to explain the choice of such non-standard arrangements. Three determinants are identified as playing the major role: ambiguity surrounding the fitness of a mode of organization to the transaction at stake; complexity of a transaction or a set of transactions; and strategic behavior. Propositions are derived that are confronted to empirical data coming out of the agro-food industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Claude Ménard, 2013. "Plural forms of organization: where do we stand?," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-01052662, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-01052662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chong‐En Bai & Zhigang Tao, 2000. "Contract Mixing in Franchising as a Mechanism for Public‐Good Provision," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(1), pages 85-113, March.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/7520 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Francine Lafontaine & Kathryn L. Shaw, 1999. "The Dynamics of Franchise Contracting: Evidence from Panel Data," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 107(5), pages 1041-1080, October.
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    10. George W. J. Hendrikse, 2007. "On the co-existence of spot and contract markets: the delivery requirement as contract externality," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 34(2), pages 257-282, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Angela Perito & Marcello De Rosa & Luca Bartoli & Emilio Chiodo & Giuseppe Martino, 2017. "Heterogeneous Organizational Arrangements in Agrifood Chains: A Governance Value Analysis Perspective on the Sheep and Goat Meat Sector of Italy," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Achilleas Kontogeorgos & Panagiota Sergaki & Fotios Chatzitheodoridis, 2017. "An Assessment Of New Farmers’ Perceptions About Agricultural Cooperatives," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(01), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Miranda, Bruno & Chaddad, Fabio, 2016. "Transaction Costs, Capabilities, and Grape Procurement Strategies in U.S. Emerging Wine Regions," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235363, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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