TUM Library

Introduction -- Normative versus positive analysis in the history of the theory of production -- The division of labour and the theory of the firm -- Proto-neoclassicals and the theory of production -- Appendix: a very brief history of perfect competition -- The representative firm -- The neoclassical model under fire 1940- -- Conclusion.

"Foundations of Organisational Economics: Histories and Theories of the Firm and Production delves into a range of key topics to do with the history of the mainstream approach to the theory of production and the theory of the firm. This includes the frameworks used to analyse production, the division of labour and its application to the firm and the development of the neoclassical model of production. The first topic explored in the work is the change from a normative approach to a largely positive approach to the analysis of the theory of production, which occurred around the 17th century. The next topic is an examination of the relationship (or the lack of a relationship) between the division of labour and the theory of the firm. In the fourth chapter, the work goes on to focus on the development of the proto-neoclassical approach to production. Here, the development of the theories of monopoly, oligopoly and perfect competition are discussed as well as the theory of input utilisation. Chapter five looks at Marshall's idea of the representative firm, which was the main early neoclassical approach to the theory of industry-level production. The penultimate chapter considers the criticisms made of the neoclassical model between 1940 and 1970. This work is an illuminating reference for students and researchers of the history of economic thought, industrial organization, microeconomic theory, and organizational studies. Paul Walker is an Economist based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He received his PhD in Economics from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. His research is mainly to do with the history of economic thought and the theory of the firm. He is author of "The Theory of the Firm: An Overview of the economic mainstream" and "A Brief Prehistory of the Theory of the Firm", both published by Routledge"-- Provided by publisher.

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