Organizations exist to lower transaction costs: Coase observed that if markets are so efficient, the reason we have firms is that pricing and contracting for every small transaction (like buying pencils) would swamp the institution's ability to accomplish larger goals, so firms internalize those transactions.

causalpending

Speaker

Clay Shirky

Evidence Quote

businesses exist precisely to lower the transaction costs for the individuals in their employ

Source

Clay Shirky on Coase, Collaboration and Here Comes Everybody 10/20/2008EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:28:59 AM

My Notes

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