Mini-conference on decision making and the boundaries of the firm

Mini-conference on decision making and the boundaries of the firm

Theme and topics

Traditional theories of firm boundaries share an implicit assumption of the firm as a unitary actor that aligns transaction characteristics with organizational form in search for efficiency. However, in reality, firm boundary choices are often made by multiple individuals whose decision-making may be characterized by managerial biases. Moreover, outsourcing, insourcing or offshoring decisions are often linked with other strategic decisions, such as technology adoption, international location choice of value chain activities, resource commitment, capability development or the overall design of the boundaries of the firm. These observations invite the analysis of firm boundary decisions in light of additional theoretical lenses.

This workshop intends to exchange and discuss ideas and emerging research at the intersection of the theories of the boundaries of the firm and organizational decision-making. Specifically, we invite empirical and theoretical papers that approach the topic of the boundaries of the firm from a variety of perspectives, including, but not limited to:

•    The effects of the structure and processes of organizational decision-making on firm boundary choices.

•    The effects of internal organization, incentives, managers pursuing own interests, or subjective perception of opportunities by entrepreneurial managers on firm boundaries.

•    The influence of other strategic decisions on firm boundary decisions.

•    Decision- making in the outsourcing/offshoring context.

•    Organizational antecedents of suboptimal boundary choices.

•    The relationship between decision-making and the evolution of the boundaries of the firm.

The conference will feature keynote speeches as well as paper sessions. Confirmed keynotes are:

•    Matthew Bidwell, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

•    Kyle Mayer, USC Marshall School of Business

Practical Information:

For further information, please contact smg@cbs.dk

There is no attendance fee, however, participants are responsible for their own travel and accomodations costs