Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first of two books in honour of Brian Loasby which simultaneously pay tribute to the contributions he has made to economics and extend the realm of Loasby-inspired economics.
The book includes new contributions from an internationally acclaimed group of authors including Israel Kirzner, Peter Swann, Giovanni Dosi, Peter Groenewegen, Richard Langlois and Don Lamberton. Together, they draw on and extend Brian Loasby's work in developing and applying theories of organization and knowledge. The book opens with an introduction to Brian Loasby's career, influences and research. This is followed by an examination of issues raised by the analysis of markets and entrepreneurial behaviour, focusing on Marshallian and Austrian approaches. In the middle of the volume the human action theme is maintained but the focus is shifted onto the dynamics of consumer demand. The final group of chapters apply a history of economic thought perspective to problems of information and knowledge, and aspects of scale and internal organization.
Economic Organization and Economic Knowledge will be welcomed by those economists working in the areas of microeconomics particularly markets, innovation, the theory of the firm, consumption, information and knowledge and competition.
Trade Review'Both of these volumes would be particularly useful to readers who are interested in heterodox approaches to the theory of the firm, consumer behaviour and business strategy, as well as to those interested in Austrian, behavioural and post-Marshallian economics and methodology. A striking feature of both volumes is the level of originality of the contributions. Some of them are at the cutting-edge of their research fields and this is indicative of Loasby's legacy of prompting original and insightful research into simple, yet seldom-asked questions.' -- Kyle Bruce, Review of Political Economy
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. Rationality, Entrepreneurship and Economic ‘Imperialism’ 2. Austrians and Marshallians on Markets: Historical Origins and Compatible Views 3. Making Markets 4. Conventions and Learning: A Perspective on the Market Process 5. Austrian and Evolutionary Perspectives on Consumer Demand and Firm Strategy 6. Marshall’s Consumer as an Innovator 7. Design and Efficiency: New Capabilities Embedded in New Products 8. Cognitive Processes, Social Adaptation and Innovation in Consumption Patterns: From Stylized Facts to Demand Theory 9. Knowledge as a Connecting Principle: John Rae and the Austrian School 10. Knowledge and Information in Classical Economics 11. Information: Pieces, Batches or Flows? 12. Perfect Competition, Equilibrium and Economic Progress: That Wretched Division of Labour and Increasing Returns 13. Scale, Scope, and the Reuse of Knowledge 14. Alfred Marshall and Scientific Management 15. Brian Loasby and Stirling: Speeches and Reflections Index
