Fritz Machlup and Behavioralism

Posted: 20 Feb 2001

See all articles by Roger Koppl

Roger Koppl

Whitman School of Management; Whitman School of Management

Abstract

This paper is concerned with Fritz Machlup's defense of neoclassical economics against organizational economics and the behavioral theory of the firm. Machlup's objections to organizational economics were narrowly semantic. Properly understood, however, Machlup's methodology has much to offer organizational theory. His position has been mistaken for a form of positivism and as equivalent to Milton Friedman's methodology. In fact, Machlup was a leading methodological subjectivist. Surprisingly, Machlup's version of neoclassical theory is complementary to organizational economics, including behavioralism.

Suggested Citation

Koppl, Roger and Koppl, Roger, Fritz Machlup and Behavioralism. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=256605

Roger Koppl (Contact Author)

Whitman School of Management ( email )

United States
(315) 443-4543 (Phone)
(315) 442-1449 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://whitman.syr.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty/showInfo.aspx?id=468

Whitman School of Management ( email )

721 University Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2130
United States
(315) 443-4543 (Phone)
(315) 442-1449 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://whitman.syr.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty/showInfo.aspx?id=468

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