Foundations of Contemporary Economics: New Institutional Economics vs. New Economic Sociology – The Granovetter-Williamson Debate Cover Image

Основи на съвременната икономика: Новата институционална икономика срещу новата икономическа социология – теоретичният сблъсък между Марк Грановетър и Оливър Уилямсън
Foundations of Contemporary Economics: New Institutional Economics vs. New Economic Sociology – The Granovetter-Williamson Debate

Author(s): Henrik Egbert, Teodor Sedlarski, Aleksandar B. Todorov
Subject(s): Economy, Business Economy / Management, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Институт за икономически изследвания при Българска академия на науките
Keywords: Oliver Williamson; Mark Granovetter; institutions; transaction costs; New Institutional Economics; New Economic Sociology; embeddedness

Summary/Abstract: Nearly 50 years ago, Mark Granovetter initiated a fundamental critique of economic theory. His critique was the starting point for the New Economic Sociology (NES). Particularly, he criticized the emerging theories of New Institutional Economics (NIE), focusing on the ideas of Oliver Williamson (1932–2020) who was one of the most prominent representatives of this school. In this paper we address this critique and Williamson’s response to it. Williamson argued from the perspective of transaction cost economics, while Granovetter focused on the social embeddedness of individuals. The impact of this debate on economics has resulted in an increased research interest in the role of institutions and social networks. However, both lines of thought did not bring economic and sociological theories together. NES established as a subdiscipline in Sociology. Its central concept of embeddedness continued to attract interest but proved to be of little empirical applicability. NIE, on the other hand, has become part of mainstream economics.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 37-53
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Bulgarian
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