My Demos report, Reinventing the Firm, is published today. You can download it here. I also have this comment piece in today's Financial Times, suggesting that the Conservatives might - stress might - want to ask political questions about how economic institutions are structured, if they are serious about creating a fairer economy, but without spending more money.
I'll probably blog more about the contents of the report over the coming days, and post up other any articles that I publish on the back of it. I think I've packed quite a lot into this one report, which has been a very enjoyable challenge. Much of it addresses the case for great employee ownership in Britain's economy.
But the first half of it is far broader, situating debates about ownership and corporate governance in the context of the economic crisis, then returning to some fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of a firm. As I argue, drawing on Ronald Coase, a firm is a political response to an economic problem: managerial power and hierarchy is one efficient way of dealing with the uncertainties attached to the employment relationship. But this doesn't prevent us from considering alternative political settlements, that are potentially more democratic and more productive.
Great report, Will, sparking lots of thoughts. One of which is that it is not only a question of nature of the institution itself but the way in which that institution utilises the capabilities of the individuals within it. To paraphrase Amartya Sen, rather than questioning 'what company ought we create' it is to look at 'what companies we can create'. This shift requires a different approach to knowledge and its value within the company. Is it too much to ask us all (companies and individuals) to stop trying to use knowledge as power?
Posted by: Bruce Davis | September 11, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Was always interested to see if anyone took that earlier Demos report on Disorganisation a step further... will read with pleasure.
Posted by: pat kane | September 14, 2009 at 03:03 PM
I'm not sure quite how much it builds on that one, Pat. But there may be connections I haven't spotted. Hope you enjoy it in any case.
Posted by: Will Davies | September 15, 2009 at 08:55 AM