Free Access
| Issue |
E.J.E.S.S.
Volume 14, Number 2, 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 119 - 141 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/ejess:2000113 | |
DOI: 10.1051/ejess:2000113
European Journal of Economic and Social Systems 14 N
2 (2000) pp. 119-141
Learning in firms: Knowledge-based and property rights perspectives
Kirsten Foss - Nicolai J. Foss
Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy, Copenhagen Business Scholl, Howitzvej 60, 2000
Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Abstract:
Proponents of the knowledge-based approach to the firm argue that organizational economics put all the
burden on the allocation of incentives and property rights in the explanation of organizational phenomena,
and neglects firm-specific knowledge and processes of learning. We argue that there is no inherent reason
why organizational economics should be cut off from treating learning and exploring its organizational
implications. More specifically, we demonstrate that it is possible to adopt an approach to learning that
is consistent with rational choice methodology and stresses economizing, puts the emphasis on learning as
a means of realizing efficiencies, is micro-analytic, and contains implications for economic organization.
We concentrate on the role of experimentation as a means of finding solutions to coordination problems in
complex production systems (e.g., finding the optimal sequence of activities) and the transaction costs
learning-by-experimenting may create. Such transaction costs help determine the existence, bound-aries and
internal organization of the firm, and have implications for the understanding of competitive advantage.
Keywords:
Organizing knowledge, property rights, economizing.
Correspondence and reprints:
Kirsten Foss
E-mail: kf.ivs@cbs.dk