Codes in Organizations

Crémer, Jacques, Andrea Prat and Luis Garicano
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Jacques Crémer ()

No 4205, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: A code is a technical language that members of an organization learn in order to communicate among themselves and with members of other organizations. What are the features of an optimal code and how does it interact with the characteristics of the organization? This Paper develops a simple communication model and characterizes optimal codes. There exists a fundamental trade-off between choosing a specialized code that simplifies internal communication and a common code that facilitates external communication. We identify the drivers of this trade-off and we study the strategic aspects of code adoption. The results are used to interpret some existing organizational structures.

Keywords: Coding; Organization theory; Communication cost (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Working Paper: Codes in Organizations (2005)
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