On the Grouping of Tasks into Firms: Make-or-Buy with Interdependent Parts
Author(s)
Novak, Sharon (Economist); Wernerfelt, Birger
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Show full item recordAbstract
We study the division of labor within production systems and look for the optimal grouping of tasks into firms. Using a unique dataset on the global automobile industry, we present evidence consistent with the prediction that pairs of tasks requiring more frequent mutual adaptation are more likely to be performed by the same firm. By taking account of interdependencies between tasks, our econometric approach generalizes standard make-or-buy analysis and yields improvements in predictive accuracy.
Date issued
2012-01Department
Sloan School of ManagementJournal
Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Pubishers
Citation
Novak, Sharon (Economist), and Birger Wernerfelt. “On the Grouping of Tasks into Firms: Make-or-Buy with Interdependent Parts.” Journal of Economics & Management Strategy 21.1 (2012): 53–77. CrossRef. Web.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
1058-6407
1530-9134