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“I Wish Someone Would Help Me Write this Song†: or, the Efficient Allocation of Resources in Rock Bands

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  • Alessandro Balestrino

    (University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; CESifo, Munich, Germany;ChilD, Turin, Italy; CeRISE, Florence, Italy)

  • Cinzia Ciardi

    (University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Azienda USL3, Pistoia, Italy)

Abstract

Economics, they say, can explain (almost) everything. In this paper, we argue that with a little help from its friends – that is, borrowing a few insights from psychology and sociology – economics can explain also why certain rock bands have had more success than others. We argue that the two most successful rock bands of all times in terms of album sales – Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd – have both relied on an efficient internal organisation in which productive tasks were allocated according to the principle of comparative advantage. We also note that efficient organisational structures are difficult to achieve and to maintain in the case of rock bands. Finally, we suggest that our analysis yields valuable insights for the study of the internal organisation of productive teams without a pre-ordained hierarchical structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Balestrino & Cinzia Ciardi, 2010. "“I Wish Someone Would Help Me Write this Song†: or, the Efficient Allocation of Resources in Rock Bands," Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, , vol. 23(1), pages 53-79, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jinter:v:23:y:2010:i:1:p:53-79
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    Cited by:

    1. Etienne Farvaque, 2024. "For those about to rock… is stability a determinant of rock bands success?," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 48(1), pages 145-166, March.

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