Spreading the Word: Transaction Cost Economics in the Conversation of Economics

摘要

Transaction cost economics is a key topic in many con-versations in business and economics related disciplines, much as a result of Oliver Williamson's intellectual crusade. By claiming a "dis-tinct worldview," he develops arguments of association and differen-tiation to established worldviews, like traditional microeconomics, earlier institutionalism, Austrian and radical economics, and also within the new institutional economics itself, in order to advance his theory. His resourcefulness defies straight argumentative decisions, catering to different audiences whilst trying to break new ground. Surely Williamson has not pleased everyone, but his discourse is greatly responsible for placing TCE in the everyday parlance of economics.