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A relational model of economic organization: relations within, between, and among economic scales
Citation
Rutherford, G and Kirkpatrick, J and Davison, A, A relational model of economic organization: relations within, between, and among economic scales, JEI: (Journal of Economic Issues), 57, (1) pp. 301-318. ISSN 0021-3624 (2023) [Refereed Article]
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DOI: doi:10.1080/00213624.2023.2170145
Abstract
We propose a relational theoretical model of economic organization that offers new insight into the organizing dynamics of economic systems. Neoclassical and complexity economics are, in their Western cultural origins, based on an assumption of the primacy of the discrete individual. Collectivist economic traditions are based on the principle of collective interest rather than self-interest. We attempt a rapprochement of individualist (especially free market) and collectivist (especially centrally planned) economic cultures and traditions by modelling economic organization as arising from individual and collective dynamics and the relationships between them. Structure, process, function, and content are four fundamental inter-related properties of our model of economic organization. We posit the existence of micro, meso, macro scales of economic organization in all of structure, process, function, and contents. To operationalize our relational model, the conventional bottom-up process of self-organization is reconceived to involve relationships within micro-, meso-, and macro-economic organization. In turn, the new concept of socio-cultural organization is construed to involve relationships between and among economic organization, across micro, meso, and macro scales. Our model of relations provides a structure for complex-realist exploration, making cross-scale inter-relationships explicit and by providing a structured language for description of these relationships.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | relational, organization, economic scale |
| Research Division: | Human Society |
| Research Group: | Human geography |
| Research Field: | Economic geography |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
| Objective Group: | Other environmental policy, climate change and natural hazards |
| Objective Field: | Other environmental policy, climate change and natural hazards not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Rutherford, G (Mr Glen Rutherford) |
| UTAS Author: | Kirkpatrick, J (Professor James Kirkpatrick) |
| UTAS Author: | Davison, A (Associate Professor Aidan Davison) |
| ID Code: | 155745 |
| Year Published: | 2023 |
| Deposited By: | Geography and Spatial Science |
| Deposited On: | 2023-03-12 |
| Last Modified: | 2023-03-15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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