Strategic Management Review > Vol 1 > Issue 1

A Possible Micro-Foundation for the RBV and its Implications

Birger Wernerfelt, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, bwerner@mit.edu
 
Suggested Citation
Birger Wernerfelt (2020), "A Possible Micro-Foundation for the RBV and its Implications", Strategic Management Review: Vol. 1: No. 1, pp 145-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/111.00000003

Publication Date: 04 Mar 2020
© 2020 now publishers, Inc.
 
Subjects
Industrial organization,  Strategic management
 
Keywords
Resourcestheory of the firmcorporate strategymicro-foundations
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
A Simple Example 
The Adaptation-Cost Theory of the Firm 
Implications for Coporate Strategy 
Similarities with, and Differences from, the RBV 
Discussion 
References 

Abstract

A central question in strategy asks in which markets and segments a given firm should compete. Any answer to this question is based on an implicit theory of the scope of the firm, and any theory of the firm implies an answer. The economics literature contains several slightly different theories of the firm, and we here focus on one which is based on advantages of specialization and what could be described as "increasing returns to scale" in negotiations. We outline the theory and show how its recommendations are very similar to those of the RBV. There are, however, subtle differences and we highlight several of those.

DOI:10.1561/111.00000003