The Firm as a Community of Belonging

Obregon Diaz, Carlos Federico (2026): The Firm as a Community of Belonging.

Abstract

This paper develops a theoretical model of the firm based on the concept of belonging, defined as the degree of relational and institutional integration of individuals within an organization. It proposes that belonging determines the structure of internal competition, cooperation, and overall firm performance. The model distinguishes between low-belonging equilibria characterized by internal conflict and inefficiency, and high-belonging equilibria characterized by cooperation and improved economic outcomes. The framework incorporates elements of game theory and institutional analysis to explain how organizational structures influence equilibrium selection. The paper contributes to the literature on institutional economics, organizational behavior, and firm theory by introducing belonging as a key explanatory variable linking micro-level interactions with macro-level performance.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Belonging Philosophy of Belonging Firm Theory Organizational Economics Institutional Economics Corporate Governance Organizational Culture Cooperation and Competition Game Theory Nash Equilibrium Social Capital Relational Economics Stakeholder Theory Business Ethics Organizational Performance Institutional Legitimacy Economic Sociology
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D2 - Production and Organizations > D21 - Firm Behavior: Theory; D - Microeconomics > D2 - Production and Organizations > D23 - Organizational Behavior ; Transaction Costs ; Property Rights; L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L20 - General; L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L22 - Firm Organization and Market Structure; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M1 - Business Administration > M14 - Corporate Culture ; Diversity ; Social Responsibility; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O10 - General; P - Economic Systems > P1 - Capitalist Systems > P16 - Political Economy

References

References Works by Carlos Federico Obregón Díaz Obregón Díaz, C. F. (1982–2025). Complete works. Amazon Publishing / ResearchGate / Academia.edu.

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