Une analyse théorique des fondements et du fonctionnement de la relation d'autorité intrafirme

For about twenty years, the notion of authority has been put forward again into the analysis of employment relationship, especially concerning contracts incompleteness. This article has two purposes. First, it aims at giving an assessment of the famous controversy between Coase and Alchian-Demsetz through an analysis of the foundations of authority. Second, it is shown that the authority relationship inside the firm cannot only depend on a single variable. On the contrary, authority rests upon a multiplicity of mechanisms. Employer?'s authority over employee has therefore to be understood in terms of degrees rather than in boolean terms.Classification JEL : B210, D230, J530, L220, M500.