Cafaggi, Fabrizio --- "Contractual Networks, Inter-Firm Cooperation and Economic Growth" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011) [2011] ELECD 272

Editor(s): Cafaggi, Fabrizio

Title: Contractual Networks, Inter-Firm Cooperation and Economic Growth

Topics: Organisational Innovation; Commercial Law; Private International Law

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Date of Publication: 28 April 2011

Number of pages: 264

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848448896

EISBN: 9781849809696

Abstract/Description:

This insightful book presents a legal and economic analysis of inter-firm cooperation through networks as an alternative to vertical integration. It examines comparatively various forms of collaboration, ranging from consortia to multiparty joint ventures and from franchising to dealerships.

Collaboration among firms of different sizes helps to overcome numerous weaknesses of the modern western industrial systems. It permits the governing of vertical disintegration without increasing fragmentation and transaction costs and allows firms to benefit from resource complementarities, favouring division of labour. The contributing authors, primarily focusing on Europe and the USA, address important ways in which legal systems provide a framework for inter-firm coordination. It is clear from the analysis that significant obstacles to collaboration still remain, and the authors call for legal reforms at European and Member States level.

This book will prove to be invaluable to academics and law-makers from both economics and law disciplines who are interested in organizational innovation and competitiveness to increase efficiency and redistribute power along the supply chain.