【正文】
cular kind of decentralized and divisionalized internal hierarchical structure what Oliver Williamson has called the M Form39。 innovation and firm profitability. In essence the methodology involves examining the differential performance between the MFomn 39。innovator39。 in an industry and its principal rival.39。 Application of two nonparametric statistical tests—the Sign Test and the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed Ranks Test — is supportive of the hypothesis that the M Form structure is associated with superior firm. I wish to thank Kirk Monieverde for extremely helpful ments and assistance. The development of the anizational histories would not have been possible without the diligent assistance of Ken Dunmore and the institutional support of the Center for the Study of Organizational Innovation. University of Pennsylvania, and its director. Oliver Williamson. I am also indebted to Richard Caves. Jeffrey Pfeffer, Lynn Phillips. James R. Miller. Garth Saloner. Oliver Williamson and an anonymous referee for many useful ments. 39。Innovator39。 is used here to identify the first firm in an industry to adopt the M Form structure.