Capabilities, Confusion, and the Costs of Coordination: On Some Problems in Recent Research On Inter-Firm Relations

The arguably dominant approaches to the study of interfirm relations are the
capabilities and organizational economics perspectives. This paper discusses
their merits and weaknesses, concentrating on the capabilities perspective,
which is argued to rest on rather weak foundations, particularly as a theory of
economic organization (including interfirm relations). However, it is
suggested that both perspectives may be seen as part of an overarching
bargaining approach to economic organization (yet to be developed). Both
perspectives have identified impediments to efficient bargaining