Rainer Diaz-Bone: Convention Theory, Economy, and Space. [Abstract]

The article presents the approach of economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC, in short, convention theory) and its perspectives on the link of economic coordination and space. EC/SC is an interdisciplinary and international scientific movement, and it can be conceived of as being a core part of new French neopragmatism. Convention theory regards conventions as institutional logics actors rely on for economic coordination. Convention can also be understood as shared frames for the interpretation and valorization of goods, persons, or actions. This article introduces the main concepts of convention theory and presents studies which apply EC/SC’s perspective on economic coordination in different branches. In difference to other institutionalist approaches, convention theory approaches coordination processes which can have a huge range in time and especially in space. Coordination can last for decades and can have a regional, national, or global spatial extension. In sum, EC/SC links economic coordination to space and focuses on the spatially organized processes of valorization and economic enrichment.

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