Overview

Edith Penrose was a remarkable woman and distinguished scholar who lived through, and witnessed at first hand, many of the major events of the 20th century; the great depression in the US; the rise of Nazism in Europe; the second world war when she worked as a special adviser to the US Ambassador in London; post-war reconstruction, assisting Eleanor Roosevelt with the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the McCarthy era; and the oil crisis of the 1970s. Her work as an economist made a mark in several distinct but overlapping areas - on the patent system, on the theory of the firm, on multinational enterprises, the oil industry, and the economics of the Middle East. Her best known work, The Theory of the Growth of the Firm was originally published in 1959, and has formed the basis of the current dominant perspective in strategic management, the resource based view of the firm. Edith Penrose's approach to explaining the nature of the firm, her fundamental insights, and the concepts she developed are still being applied and extended to new fields of enquiry. Her reformulation of the theory of the firm has had a major influence on the study of the business enterprise, and some argue, the economy itself. She had a distinguished academic and public service career, and wrote extensively on the understanding of the interface between the strategies and activities of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and the nation states;particularly the developing countries—in which they operated. This is the first biography of Edith Penrose, drawing on unpublished diaries and letters, the personal memories of her family, friends, and colleagues, and describes her eventful life, her extensive output and influence. The book tells her personal and professional story, weaving it through the extraordinary upheavals of the twentieth century in which she played a part. The book builds up a picture of a vital, energetic woman who lived life to the full, defied convention, made an impression on all who met her and left a significant intellectual legacy.

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9780198753940

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Reviews

I've really enjoyed reading No Ordinary Woman, a biography of Edith Penrose by her daughter-in-law Angela Penrose. It is a life story kind of biography only one chapter (by Ediths grandson Jago) covers her economic thinking in The Theory of the Growth of the Firm but what a life. Anyway, from this affectionate biography, Penrose sounds like she would have been terrific fun and stimulating to know. And it is inspiring to read about a woman who accomplished so much against great odds. * Diane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist * Edith Penrose wrote the classic economic theory of the firm. She was assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership in establishing UNICEF and the UN Commission on Human Rights. She campaigned for the rights of farm workers and longshoremen in the 1930s, for the victims of McCarthyism in the 1950s, and assisted in the escape of refugees from Nazi Germany. She shaped the development of observation informed economics education at Baghdad University, the School of Oriental and Asian Studies in London and INSEAD in France. These are highlights in this vivid account of the life of a remarkable woman, mother, wife, and academic as she participated fully in the turmoil of the twentieth century. * Michael H. Best, Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts * Expertly weaving together the remarkable life of Edith Penrose with a clear explanation of her scholarly contributions, this book brings into clear relief the persona of a fearless and creative scholar. Fans of Edith Penrose will find it fascinating to see her personal life juxtaposed against her research and professional career. It was hard to put down the book as it is that compelling. * Constance E. Helfat, J. Brian Quinn Professor in Technology and Strategy, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth * This book brings back to life an intellectual beacon and mentor, in an insightful and inspiring way. A wonderful and uplifting achievement, the biography Edith Penrose deserved! * Yves Doz, Solvay Chair Professor of Technological Innovation at INSEAD * Edith Penrose was one of the most influential economists of her time. From her pioneering research on the oil industry and the economics of the Middle East, to her work on innovation, firm growth and economic development, Penrose transformed the disciplines of economics and management by analysing them from an international perspectivean approach we continue to take forward at SOAS today. * Baroness Valerie Amos CH, Director of SOAS University of London * A remarkable feat...a rich and intimate biography of an extra-ordinary woman, economist, intellectual, engaged scholar, and advisor and mentor/role model to many. This book is a must read for everyone interested in appreciating greatness in the making, with all its adversities, setbacks, doubts and vulnerabilities, painted against a fascinating, evolving historical canvas. * Christos Pitelis, Professor of Strategy and Literary Executor of the Collected Papers of Edith Penrose *

Edith Penrose wrote the classic economic theory of the firm. She was assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership in establishing UNICEF and the UN Commission on Human Rights. She campaigned for the rights of farm workers and longshoremen in the 1930s, for the victims of McCarthyism in the 1950s, and assisted in the escape of refugees from Nazi Germany. She shaped the development of observation informed economics education at Baghdad University, the School of Oriental and Asian Studies in London and INSEAD in France. These are highlights in this vivid account of the life of a remarkable woman, mother, wife, and academic as she participated fully in the turmoil of the twentieth century. * Michael H. Best, Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts * Expertly weaving together the remarkable life of Edith Penrose with a clear explanation of her scholarly contributions, this book brings into clear relief the persona of a fearless and creative scholar. Fans of Edith Penrose will find it fascinating to see her personal life juxtaposed against her research and professional career. It was hard to put down the book as it is that compelling. * Constance E. Helfat, J. Brian Quinn Professor in Technology and Strategy, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth * This book brings back to life an intellectual beacon and mentor, in an insightful and inspiring way. A wonderful and uplifting achievement, the biography Edith Penrose deserved! * Yves Doz, Solvay Chair Professor of Technological Innovation at INSEAD * Edith Penrose was one of the most influential economists of her time. From her pioneering research on the oil industry and the economics of the Middle East, to her work on innovation, firm growth and economic development, Penrose transformed the disciplines of economics and management by analysing them from an international perspectivean approach we continue to take forward at SOAS today. * Baroness Valerie Amos CH, Director of SOAS University of London * A remarkable feat...a rich and intimate biography of an extra-ordinary woman, economist, intellectual, engaged scholar, and advisor and mentor/role model to many. This book is a must read for everyone interested in appreciating greatness in the making, with all its adversities, setbacks, doubts and vulnerabilities, painted against a fascinating, evolving historical canvas. * Christos Pitelis, Professor of Strategy and Literary Executor of the Collected Papers of Edith Penrose *

A remarkable feat...a rich and intimate biography of an extra-ordinary woman, economist, intellectual, engaged scholar, and advisor and mentor/role model to many. This book is a must read for everyone interested in appreciating greatness in the making, with all its adversities, setbacks, doubts and vulnerabilities, painted against a fascinating, evolving historical canvas. * Christos Pitelis, Professor of Strategy and Literary Executor of the Collected Papers of Edith Penrose * Edith Penrose was one of the most influential economists of her time. From her pioneering research on the oil industry and the economics of the Middle East, to her work on innovation, firm growth and economic development, Penrose transformed the disciplines of economics and management by analysing them from an international perspectivean approach we continue to take forward at SOAS today. * Baroness Valerie Amos CH, Director of SOAS University of London * This book brings back to life an intellectual beacon and mentor, in an insightful and inspiring way. A wonderful and uplifting achievement, the biography Edith Penrose deserved! * Yves Doz, Solvay Chair Professor of Technological Innovation at INSEAD * Expertly weaving together the remarkable life of Edith Penrose with a clear explanation of her scholarly contributions, this book brings into clear relief the persona of a fearless and creative scholar. Fans of Edith Penrose will find it fascinating to see her personal life juxtaposed against her research and professional career. It was hard to put down the book as it is that compelling. * Constance E. Helfat, J. Brian Quinn Professor in Technology and Strategy, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth * Edith Penrose wrote the classic economic theory of the firm. She was assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership in establishing UNICEF and the UN Commission on Human Rights. She campaigned for the rights of farm workers and longshoremen in the 1930s, for the victims of McCarthyism in the 1950s, and assisted in the escape of refugees from Nazi Germany. She shaped the development of observation informed economics education at Baghdad University, the School of Oriental and Asian Studies in London and INSEAD in France. These are highlights in this vivid account of the life of a remarkable woman, mother, wife, and academic as she participated fully in the turmoil of the twentieth century. * Michael H. Best, Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts * I've really enjoyed reading No Ordinary Woman, a biography of Edith Penrose by her daughter-in-law Angela Penrose. It is a life story kind of biography only one chapter (by Ediths grandson Jago) covers her economic thinking in The Theory of the Growth of the Firm but what a life. Anyway, from this affectionate biography, Penrose sounds like she would have been terrific fun and stimulating to know. And it is inspiring to read about a woman who accomplished so much against great odds. * Diane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist *

Author Information

In the week Angela Penrose was given The Theory of The Growth of the Firm to read as part of her PPE course at Oxford she met her future husband, Perran Penrose, the son of the author, Edith Penrose. She and Perran went on to teach in Libya, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Zambia where Angela also worked as a journalist. She has extensive experience of communicating in the printed and broadcast media and working directly with children and young people as a teacher and youth worker. She has worked with development and humanitarian organizations and was Director of Policy with Save The Children.

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