Pequenos negócios, industrialização local e redes de relações econômicas

uma revisão bibliográfica em sociologia econômica

Abstract

This review of the literature on local industrialization and small businesses as worldwide phenom ena analyzes the main contributions of informality, rational choice, and transaction cost theories, as well as of the new economic sociology. It examines how each has advanced our understanding of the organizing principles that individuals and families use in defining and controlling their assets and in developing means and mobilizing resources for creating and expanding their economic activities. The essay questions the adequacy of any existing interpretation or explanation of the differences found in the organizing processes and econo­mic performance of small-scale production. It is argued that the informality, rational choice, and transaction cost perspectives miss important issues of organizing processes and that the new economic sociology offers a promising approach in analyzing this economic phenome­non.