ABSTRACT
The subject matter of this and the following three chapters will shift from the abstract theory of Part I to a detailed development and application of this framework to the determinants of the boundaries of the firm: in so doing, the intention is to develop an understanding of the firm’s nature and functioning. This chapter concentrates on the firm in general; the following two chapters shift attention to the integration decision; finally, Chapter 7 examines the counter forces of quasi- and disintegration.
