2010. Vol. 11. No. 3

The paper suggests a theoretical concept of the market as intersection of two separate notions. The first notion of organizational field is borrowed from the new economic sociology. The second notion of supply chain is developed in marketing science. In sum, the market is presented as a chain of subsequent exchanges carried out by buyers and sellers from closely related organizational fields. Elaborating this understanding of the market, the author treats the market exchange as a social process in which economic transactions densely interweave with power relations.
Transaction is the core element of any kind of market exchange. At the same time, the conclusion of a transaction between firms is originated from complex compromises, reflecting interactions and negotiation concerning the terms of market exchange. The author singles out three components of negotiated exchange: (1) complex exchange objects; (2) multiple dimensions of the exchange, and (3) motivation structure of economic actors participating in exchange relationships. Thus, market exchange could be arrayed as a part of more comprehensive social exchange. Along with this statement, market exchange is embedded into power relationships. Market actor’s bargaining power is based on his authority which permits him to control competitor's actions. The paper supplies conceptual ideas and tools for sociology of markets. At the same time, its insights largely were originated from the numerous empirical studies on Russian retailing.

The paper deals with opportunities for making a market capitalism based on goodwill. The author demonstrates that economists exaggerate a role of self-interests for the market economy. While mutual long-term obligations, readiness to rely on goodwill and relational contracting may become a more successful tool for effective administration of the economy and improvement of the quality of life. In support of his major argument the author provides empirical observations of peculiar institutional arrangements in the Japanese economy. It is also pointed out that relational contracting based on goodwill exists in other countries and fosters important economic advantages

This paper examines the role of different units in the supply chain to ensure consumers’ confidence in the process of production. Analysis of interviews with managers demonstrated that as we move along the supply chain upstream from the buyer to the producer, construction of trust by managers is becoming increasingly instrumental. Differences observed in the constructs of trust in various units of the supply chain can be explained by two reasons: first, by the challenges faced by each individual unit, and second by differences in value systems of managers. Thus, such intangible values as environmental friendliness and social responsibility that are the most important for the ultimate consumers do not show up in the narratives of the production managers, being replaced by a purely instrumental approach in which the trust is equivalent to the national standards and requirements of the process of production.

The market for funeral services is one dealing with the most sacred and emotionalised objects. Similarly to the life insurance industry and the organ transplant industry it is conditioned by the fact of death. The paper considers the following issues: what is sold out and purchased on this market? What are the qualities of the goods offered? On which terms are economic transactions arranged? And which factors define buyers’ rational behaviour? A major insight of the study is that a cultural construct of deserving funerals is traded here. Market for funeral services can be viewed as an interplay between sacred and secular. Understanding of cultural restraints governing market transactions allows us to reveal how ritual rules are transformed into market rules.

The paper reviews the fi eld of economic geography and searches for  opportunities of potential collaboration with the economic sociology. Firstly, a short history of economic geography as a research fi eld is presented. Then some classic and modern geographical concepts embedded in economic geography are reviewed. Finally, the authors discuss how economic geography and sociology can be brought together and indicate perspectives for mutual collaboration

Attracting the results of three ethnographic research projects, David Stark demonstrates the importance of heterarchy for organizational innovation. Heterarchies are resulted from recombination of actors’ spatial location, job status, technical systems, tools and evaluation principles of organizational goods while searching for the new and trying to organize dissonance generated by diversity of evaluation principles. Evaluation principles improve organization’s adaptability to any environmental and social changes.