Challenging the long-held belief that economics is a discipline that can be adequately pursued in isolation from the other social sciences, this book develops a new theoretical approach to entrepreneurship in the firm. Casson argues that the productivity of economic units--whether families, firms, or nation states--is affected by the degree of cooperation between the members of these units, which cannot be fully understood unless one considers cultural dynamics. The book combines economic and cultural determinants of performance into a single analytical framework, applying theory to a wide range of topical issues that will be of major interest to policymakers and strategists. The book's international perspective highlights the way in which cultural differences influence innovation and competitiveness at both the corporate and national level.