Table of Contents

Contents: 1. Introduction (John Groenewegen, Christos Pitelis, Sven-Erik Sjöstrand) 2. Towards A Theory of Institutional Change (Sven-Erik Sjöstrand) 3. Rational Action and Institutional Change (Shaun Hargreaves Heap) 4. Relative Rationality, Institutions and Precautionary Behaviour (Ernesto Screpanti) 5. The Meaning and Role of Power in Economic Theories (David Young) 6. Towards an Evolutionary Theory of Institutional Crisis (Christos Pitelis) 7. Institutional Aspects of Regulating the Private Sector (Jonathan Michie) 8. Michael Porter’s Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (Paul Auerbach, Peter Skott) 9. Standards as Institutions: Problems with Creating all-European Standards (Claes-Fredrik Helgesson, S.Hultén, D.J. Puffert) 10. Collective Action, Strategic Behaviour and Endogenous Growth (Patrizio Bianchi, Lee Miller) 11. Determinants of Supplier Dependence: An Empirical Study (Hans Berger, Niels Noorderhaven, Bart Nooteboom) 12. The Changing Market for Corporate Control (J. Groenewegen) Index

About the Author

Edited by John Groenewegen, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, Christos Pitelis, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge, UK and Sven-Erik Sjöstrand, Professor Emeritus, Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden

Reviews

'Unlike many other volumes of conference proceedings, however, this one has been carefully edited to focus on issues surrounding the presence of institutions in economic life. Taken together, the essays in this volume comprise a compelling examination of the various ways economists are seeking to investigate and explain institutional change.’
*Ross B. Emmett, Review of Social Economy*

’This collection is one of the more interesting ones available, offering a true smorgasbord of the perspectives, themes, and methods included under the label "institutionalist economics" today.’
*Alan W. Dyer, Review of Political Economy*

’Edward Elgar continues to bring out books of merit in heterodox economics. His list puts older and larger houses to shame. . . The editors do a fine job.’
*William Waller, Journal of Economic Issues*

’This is an important contribution not merely to the institutionalist school of thought but also to related disciplines which have a keen eye on institutional details and have traditionally emphasised them in their research agenda. Economic historians and the other social scientists, especially sociologists, organizational theorists and those interested in politics and law, should find this volume extremely helpful to their work.’
*Philip Arestis, The Economic Journal*