Is the firm an individual?
分析三种新制度主义理论(产权、交易成本、建构主义、宪政主义)均未能有效支持“企业即个体”的论点,并提出“同意目标”概念作为构建该论点的可行基础。
This paper shows how three new institutionalist theories try, but ultimately fail to support the firm-as-individual thesis. First, Karl Marx/O. Hart's idea of property rights and R. H. Coase/O. E. Williamson's notion of transaction costs are insufficient to substantiate the market/firm dichotomy. Second, F. A. Hayek's constructionist view presents the firm, as opposed to the market, as a designed order--no different from artifacts such as tables and cars. Third, V. J. Vanberg's constitutionalist theory also fails to support the firm-as-individual thesis. The paper suggests that the 'consented goal' notion is a fruitful ground upon which to build the firm-as-individual thesis. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.