Fundierung von Leistungstiefenentscheidungen auf der Basis modifizierter Transaktionskostenansätze

Abstract

Transaction cost theory in the tradition of Coase and Williamson was established as an important branch within organization theory in the last decades. The make or buy decision is the most prominent application field for transaction cost theory. This article describes and examines new developments within transaction cost theory and their potential to explain make or buy decisions. The modified transaction cost approaches proposed by Monteverde (1995), Zajac and Olson (1993) and Langlois (1988, 1992) are critically examined. Starting-points for the integration of transaction cost theory with other approaches of the new institutional economics as well as with production cost considerations and the concept of the economic rent are also presented. Each of the modified transaction cost approaches is applied to a concrete, identical make or buy decision problem to show the main differences between the modified transaction cost approaches and the classical transaction cost approach in the tradition of Coase and Williamson. The main differences can be seen in methodological aspects of defining and analyzing problems and in deviating practical recommendations for the efficient make or buy decision.