This study discusses social capital and related concepts that can be useful when analysing cartels. Different types of definitions of social capital are discussed. It is concluded that organisations can generate social capital which results in increased ability to cooperate in efficient ways. Organised social capital can lead to confidence, facilitating cooperation when trust is not enough.

The empirical case discussed in the paper is cartel formation in Swedish brewing industry. This study confirms many results indicated in different case studies: the importance of organisation, leadership, control apparatus, industry specific circumstances, and that cartel success often is preceded by failures. The brewing case is used in the theoretical discussion of social capital.

The societal context of this study is the stricter cartel policy since the 1990s. A hypothetical construction of four phases for 1870-2009 is made, based on institutional environment and possibilities for cartels to cooperate efficiently.

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Paper provided by Institute for Futures Studies in its series Arbetsrapport with number 2009:8.

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Length: 19 pages
Date of creation: 20 May 2009
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Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifswps:2009_008

Note: ISSN: 1652-120X; ISBN: 978-91-85619-47-4
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Keywords: Social capital; Cartels; Swedish brewing industry; Cartel policy; Institutional environment;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
N80 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - General, International, or Comparative

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

• NEP-ALL-2009-06-10 (All new papers)

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This page was last updated on 2009-12-2.