Abstract

Smith's theorem—that the division of labour is limited by the extent of the market—is explained. But there exists another limitation to the division of labour that relates to the nature of the task. Further, the division of labour can be coordinated alternatively by markets or by the coordination mechanisms available within firms that rely heavily on custom. It is argued that coordination within firms entails productivity advantages at the expense of inflexibility in certain dimensions, whereas the market requires standardization of some sort, but is more flexible in other ways.