Relational Economics and Organization Governance – serie

This book introduces the research agenda of relational economics as a political economy for the governance of local and global economic transactions in modern societies. It analyses the mechanisms of global value creation and production networks by studying cooperation in intra- and inter-firm networks, intersectoral stakeholder management, and transcultural leadership. The author develops a categorical taxonomy for private and public value creation based on the effective and efficient interlinking of, and interaction between, a range of resources and abilities. In contrast to mainstream economics, which largely focuses on the laws of discrete and dyadic exchange transactions, this book assesses the polyvalent characteristics of relational transactions. The chief categories involved in an economic theory of the relations between events are the relational transactions and their various forms of governance; the polycontextual cooperation between economic, political andcivil society agents; and the factor incomes and relational rents that relational transactions produce. Today, relational transactions are the rule, not the exception, in modern economies and their global value creation networks. Given its scope and focus, this book will appeal to scholars of economics, economic sociology, organisational studies and related fields.

This book introduces the research agenda of relational economics as a political economy for the governance of local and global economic transactions in modern societies. It analyses the mechanisms of global value creation and production networks by studying cooperation in intra- and inter-firm networks, intersectoral stakeholder management, and transcultural leadership. The author develops a categorical taxonomy for private and public value creation based on the effective and efficient interlinking of, and interaction between, a range of resources and abilities. In contrast to mainstream economics, which largely focuses on the laws of discrete and dyadic exchange transactions, this book assesses the polyvalent characteristics of relational transactions. The chief categories involved in an economic theory of the relations between events are the relational transactions and their various forms of governance; the polycontextual cooperation between economic, political andcivil society agents; and the factor incomes and relational rents that relational transactions produce. Today, relational transactions are the rule, not the exception, in modern economies and their global value creation networks. Given its scope and focus, this book will appeal to scholars of economics, economic sociology, organisational studies and related fields.

This book contributes to the development of a relational view of economics. Bringing together experts from various disciplines, it offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the study of relational transactions. In contrast to discrete market transactions as a traditional subject of economic discourse, the book analyses the role of relational transactions in the study of economic phenomena. The contributing authors address topics such as global intra- and inter-company networks, intersectoral stakeholder management, relational contracts, and transcultural management approaches. Accordingly, the book makes an important contribution to an emerging field of research.

This book contributes to the development of a relational view of economics. Bringing together experts from various disciplines, it offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the study of relational transactions. In contrast to discrete market transactions as a traditional subject of economic discourse, the book analyses the role of relational transactions in the study of economic phenomena. The contributing authors address topics such as global intra- and inter-company networks, intersectoral stakeholder management, relational contracts, and transcultural management approaches. Accordingly, the book makes an important contribution to an emerging field of research.

This book examines the inter-firm networks created by interlock coordination through shared directors (inter-board) and managers (inter-department) at various levels: whole aggregate, core vs. peripheral companies, and distribution by country and sector. Presenting an empirical case study on all the limited liability or stock companies of the aerospace industry in the European Union and its interlock partners worldwide, the authors shed new light on these forms of coordination. Moreover, they reveal the relevance of shared managers’ coordination and hybrid manager-director interlocks.The book applies advanced statistical and social network analysis alike by combining firms’ attributes (e.g. standard economic-financial parameters) and topological indices for firms (e.g. centrality and cluster measures). By conducting the analysis at both the aggregate network level and the cluster or corporate group level, the authors show how extensive and intensive the interlock forms of coordination are, especially when dealing with shared managers. By testing seven hypotheses concerning the research stream on board interlocks and (more broadly) inter-firm networks, the study offers new insights into the role of the financial sector, on the relations between interlock coordination and firms’ performance, on the role of geographical, technological and organizational proximity, and on the relations between interlock coordination and firms’ size. As such, this book will appeal to scholars of organization studies, business and management studies, industrial and evolutionary economics, and economic sociology, as well as officers and policymakers at anti-trust regulation institutions.

This book examines the inter-firm networks created by interlock coordination through shared directors (inter-board) and managers (inter-department) at various levels: whole aggregate, core vs. peripheral companies, and distribution by country and sector. Presenting an empirical case study on all the limited liability or stock companies of the aerospace industry in the European Union and its interlock partners worldwide, the authors shed new light on these forms of coordination. Moreover, they reveal the relevance of shared managers’ coordination and hybrid manager-director interlocks.The book applies advanced statistical and social network analysis alike by combining firms’ attributes (e.g. standard economic-financial parameters) and topological indices for firms (e.g. centrality and cluster measures). By conducting the analysis at both the aggregate network level and the cluster or corporate group level, the authors show how extensive and intensive the interlock forms of coordination are, especially when dealing with shared managers. By testing seven hypotheses concerning the research stream on board interlocks and (more broadly) inter-firm networks, the study offers new insights into the role of the financial sector, on the relations between interlock coordination and firms’ performance, on the role of geographical, technological and organizational proximity, and on the relations between interlock coordination and firms’ size. As such, this book will appeal to scholars of organization studies, business and management studies, industrial and evolutionary economics, and economic sociology, as well as officers and policymakers at anti-trust regulation institutions.

This book addresses the development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in and by companies and the consequent need for private sector AI regulation. Highlighting the challenges to responsible business conduct and considering stakeholder interests, it identifies ethical concerns and discusses AI standards and AI norms. Based on this needs-based analysis, the author chooses relational economics as a suitable approach to develop a theoretical AI governance model. In doing so, AI is conceptualized within relational economics in the form of an autopoietic system. Building on this theoretical contribution, the book specifies the governance adaptivity of the relational AI governance approach for an unregulated AI market and for the case of the pending E.U. AI regulation, and complements it with inductively conducted categories that summarize the main research streams in AI ethics.

This book addresses the development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in and by companies and the consequent need for private sector AI regulation. Highlighting the challenges to responsible business conduct and considering stakeholder interests, it identifies ethical concerns and discusses AI standards and AI norms. Based on this needs-based analysis, the author chooses relational economics as a suitable approach to develop a theoretical AI governance model. In doing so, AI is conceptualized within relational economics in the form of an autopoietic system. Building on this theoretical contribution, the book specifies the governance adaptivity of the relational AI governance approach for an unregulated AI market and for the case of the pending E.U. AI regulation, and complements it with inductively conducted categories that summarize the main research streams in AI ethics.

This book explores the conceptual and practical implications of applying a relational view to cultural complexity. The authors take the findings of an international and interdisciplinary Delphi study on transcultural competence as a starting point and offer further analysis and interpretation from their specific perspectives. Written by experts from a variety of disciplines, the book discusses the potential contributions of a relational approach to understanding and strengthening individuals and organizations in their contexts. Through various conceptual chapters, case studies and field reports, it explores the role and nature of commonalities for cooperation in contexts of cultural complexity and discusses the relationship between differences and commonalities, as well as the implications for relational leadership and management.The book is divided into four parts, the first of which introduces readers to the relational view. In turn, the second part elaborates on transcultural competence, while the third presents various case studies and field reports on experience-based learning and relationality in culturally complex settings. Finally, the fourth part sheds new light on relational leadership and the role of commonalities in organizational practice. As such, this book will appeal to scholars and practitioners in the areas of cultural and relational economics, intercultural communication, business strategy and leadership, and organizational studies.

This book explores the conceptual and practical implications of applying a relational view to cultural complexity. The authors take the findings of an international and interdisciplinary Delphi study on transcultural competence as a starting point and offer further analysis and interpretation from their specific perspectives. Written by experts from a variety of disciplines, the book discusses the potential contributions of a relational approach to understanding and strengthening individuals and organizations in their contexts. Through various conceptual chapters, case studies and field reports, it explores the role and nature of commonalities for cooperation in contexts of cultural complexity and discusses the relationship between differences and commonalities, as well as the implications for relational leadership and management.The book is divided into four parts, the first of which introduces readers to the relational view. In turn, the second part elaborates on transcultural competence, while the third presents various case studies and field reports on experience-based learning and relationality in culturally complex settings. Finally, the fourth part sheds new light on relational leadership and the role of commonalities in organizational practice. As such, this book will appeal to scholars and practitioners in the areas of cultural and relational economics, intercultural communication, business strategy and leadership, and organizational studies.

This volume embarks on a research journey that focuses on the processes of economic and social value creation in the 21st century. Given that value creation is increasingly organized in networks consisting of businesses, governments, academia, civil society, and other societal stakeholders, the contributions address various aspects of and challenges in governing cooperation in value-creating networks. Exploring topics such as relational rationality, cultural complexity, shared value creation, and relational contracts, this book reveals the mechanisms and processes involved in governing the complexities of inter-sectoral relationships in a networked society. Given its scope and focus, this book will appeal to scholars of economics, economic sociology, organizational studies, and related fields.

This volume embarks on a research journey that focuses on the processes of economic and social value creation in the 21st century. Given that value creation is increasingly organized in networks consisting of businesses, governments, academia, civil society, and other societal stakeholders, the contributions address various aspects of and challenges in governing cooperation in value-creating networks. Exploring topics such as relational rationality, cultural complexity, shared value creation, and relational contracts, this book reveals the mechanisms and processes involved in governing the complexities of inter-sectoral relationships in a networked society. Given its scope and focus, this book will appeal to scholars of economics, economic sociology, organizational studies, and related fields.

This book critically examines existing organizational learning theories that often center on employees and adopt a neo-classical organizational view. In this book, organizational learning (OL) is conceptualized from a relational governance perspective. Departing from the relational economics approach, it describes organizations as dynamic nexuses of stakeholders' resources and interests, extending beyond conventional intra-organizational contexts to encompass an open systems view. By viewing organizations as independent entities, distinct from individual stakeholders, the author introduces the concept of transactions as the fundamental unit of analysis in organization theory. Stakeholders contribute diverse rationalities, and OL emerges as the process of relationalizing these rationalities, enabling multi-contextual transactions within organizations. This book sheds light on epistemological and ontological challenges in OL literature, such as the OL paradox and anthropomorphism. To address these issues, the author advocates a shift from methodological individualism to methodological relationism, wherein OL becomes a micro-meso-relational process involving both stakeholders and the organization as an entity. Combining conceptual insights with empirical evidence from a multinational company's case study, the book showcases how relational learning can be practically applied in organizations. The findings corroborate the conceptual framework, supporting the notion of organizations as resource-rich nexuses and learning as a comprehensive relational process involving both entities and stakeholders. This book offers an essential contribution to the field. It appeals to scholars and practitioners interested in organizational studies, corporate governance, and relational economics.

This book critically examines existing organizational learning theories that often center on employees and adopt a neo-classical organizational view. In this book, organizational learning (OL) is conceptualized from a relational governance perspective. Departing from the relational economics approach, it describes organizations as dynamic nexuses of stakeholders' resources and interests, extending beyond conventional intra-organizational contexts to encompass an open systems view. By viewing organizations as independent entities, distinct from individual stakeholders, the author introduces the concept of transactions as the fundamental unit of analysis in organization theory. Stakeholders contribute diverse rationalities, and OL emerges as the process of relationalizing these rationalities, enabling multi-contextual transactions within organizations. This book sheds light on epistemological and ontological challenges in OL literature, such as the OL paradox and anthropomorphism. To address these issues, the author advocates a shift from methodological individualism to methodological relationism, wherein OL becomes a micro-meso-relational process involving both stakeholders and the organization as an entity. Combining conceptual insights with empirical evidence from a multinational company's case study, the book showcases how relational learning can be practically applied in organizations. The findings corroborate the conceptual framework, supporting the notion of organizations as resource-rich nexuses and learning as a comprehensive relational process involving both entities and stakeholders. This book offers an essential contribution to the field. It appeals to scholars and practitioners interested in organizational studies, corporate governance, and relational economics.

This book lays the groundwork for a relational theory of the firm as a network of stakeholder resources and interests. Drawing on the author’s earlier publications on relational economics as the political economy of a global cooperative economy or stakeholder capitalism, it explores the governance and managerial implications of a relational economy for firms, while also critically revisiting the traditional and resource-based view of the firm. In turn, it explains concepts such as relational governance, relational costs, relational spaces, rent from cooperation, and shared value creation, as well as a dynamic and process-oriented relational business model. The book discusses the epistemological and methodological prerequisites of a relational theory of the firm and addresses their theoretical taxonomy. A relational theory of the firm is a work in progress; the book represents an invitation to join this theoretical and empirical undertaking.

This book explores how economic and social values are created through dynamic, non-linear interactions within cooperative networks. Emphasizing the importance of relations and networks in value creation, the book discusses critical issues such as the relational nature of the firm, relational management and leadership as well as relational philosophy. This includes topics such as network models, stakeholder management, relational contracts, cooperative economics as well as philosophical questions related to relational ontology, epistemology and methodology, inter alia.Written by leading scholars, the contributions highlight the need for new business models and governance mechanisms that integrate resources across different economic and social systems, advocating for a relational approach to economic theory. In turn, the book argues for a network-based, integrative view of businesses, suggesting that economic success is increasingly dependent on the ability to navigate and foster complex relationships within a globalized context.Rich in theoretical and empirical insights, this book is essential reading for academics, policymakers, and business leaders interested in the future of economic thought and practice. It provides a comprehensive overview of the relational paradigm. The book is an invitation to join the conversation on how relational perspectives can transform our understanding of economics, governance, and organizational dynamics.

This book explores how economic and social values are created through dynamic, non-linear interactions within cooperative networks. Emphasizing the importance of relations and networks in value creation, the book discusses critical issues such as the relational nature of the firm, relational management and leadership as well as relational philosophy. This includes topics such as network models, stakeholder management, relational contracts, cooperative economics as well as philosophical questions related to relational ontology, epistemology and methodology, inter alia.Written by leading scholars, the contributions highlight the need for new business models and governance mechanisms that integrate resources across different economic and social systems, advocating for a relational approach to economic theory. In turn, the book argues for a network-based, integrative view of businesses, suggesting that economic success is increasingly dependent on the ability to navigate and foster complex relationships within a globalized context.Rich in theoretical and empirical insights, this book is essential reading for academics, policymakers, and business leaders interested in the future of economic thought and practice. It provides a comprehensive overview of the relational paradigm. The book is an invitation to join the conversation on how relational perspectives can transform our understanding of economics, governance, and organizational dynamics.