Economic Organization, Capabilities and Coordination

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INTRODUCTION

Co-ordination and capabilities

Nicolai J. Foss and Brian J. Loasby

In 1974 George B. Richardson, who had been a Reader at Oxford University and a Fellow of St John’s College, became Chief Executive of Oxford University Press. In doing so he consciously abandoned his career in economics, because of an apparent lack of interest in his work by fellow economists and his own dissatisfaction with the trend of economic thinking. After managing Oxford University Press for fifteen years, he became Warden of Keble College, Oxford, and retired from that position in September 1994. In January 1995 two dozen economists met in St John’s College for a colloquium which was designed not only to mark his formal retirement but also to welcome him ...