Abstract
The intangible flow theory explains that flows of economic material elements (such as physical goods; or cash) are consummated by human related intangible flows (such as work flows; service flows; information flows; or communicational flows) that cannot be precisely appraised at an actual or approximate value, and have properties precluding them from being classified as assets or capitals. Therefore, although mathematical/quantitative research methodologies are very relevant for science, they are insufficient to study economy and society. Due to its prejudice against non mathematical/quantitative scientific reasoning, neo-classic economics could not be technologically prepared to reach the intangible flow dynamics of economic phenomena. Furthermore, the neo-classic solution to call people human assets or human capital, besides being ethically very questionable, offers performative non-scientific metaphors that intervene in the production of the reality they claim to represent; and sabotages the study of well delimited research questions by scientific approaches outside the realm of neoclassic economics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 328-353 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | American Journal of Economics and Sociology |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2011 |
Keywords
- intangible flow
- materiality
- intangibility
- human capital
- embeddedness
- performativity