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Discrete institutional alternatives: Theoretical and policy issues (Celebrating the 80 th anniversary of Ronald Coase's “Nature of the Firm”)

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  • Andrey Shastitko

    (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, MSU - Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Claude Ménard

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UP1 UFR02 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - École d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)

Abstract

This paper addresses the comparative analysis of discrete institutional alternatives in organizing transactions among distinct economic entities. The theoretical framework for understanding this issue was introduced by Ronald Coase 80 years ago. Following this seminal contribution, a standard theoretical distinction now exists between the institutionally embedded set of economic exchanges (the transactions) and the institutional settings within which these transactions are organized, firms and markets being the epitomized polar cases. On the normative side, this approach facilitated better understanding of failures and flaws in the organization of numerous transactions and of how to fix them. Three examples are provided to illustrate the issues at stake: contracting on large diameter pipes for PJSC "Gazprom" infrastructure projects, contracting in commercial real estate, and determining governance mechanisms for companies facing significant switching costs in highly concentrated markets.

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  • Andrey Shastitko & Claude Ménard, 2017. "Discrete institutional alternatives: Theoretical and policy issues (Celebrating the 80 th anniversary of Ronald Coase's “Nature of the Firm”)," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-04011898, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-04011898
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ruje.2017.06.005
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    1. Claude Ménard & Ivan Shabalov & Andrey Shastitko, 2021. "Institutions to the rescue: Untangling industrial fragmentation, institutional misalignment, and political constraints in the Russian gas pipeline industry," Post-Print hal-04012224, HAL.

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