Theories of the Firm and Organization: An Interdisciplinary Assessment

This study examines the relationship among economics, strategic management, organizational studies, and economic sociology-four interconnected fields concerned with firms and organizations-from an interdisciplinary perspective. The argument is advanced that a descriptive approach, rather than a prescriptive one, more effectively illuminates their interactions. Recent natural and spontaneous interactions are highlighted as valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of interdisciplinary engagement. This perspective is grounded in three observations about major developments in these disciplines over the past fifty years. First, while all four fields focus on firms and organizations, they frequently operate in isolation despite overlapping interests. Second, the interactions among these disciplines should be analyzed with reference to the philosophical foundations of interdisciplinarity, particularly the ways in which disciplinary boundaries, methodological assumptions, and epistemological traditions shape knowledge production. Third, the study investigates the extent to which these interdisciplinary interactions contribute to the accumulation of knowledge. Ultimately, it is argued that adopting the complexity perspective is the most effective means of fostering interdisciplinary relationships, as it balances autonomy and collaboration, promotes pluralism, and supports authentic interdisciplinary work.