In this paper we present the main developments of the theories of the firm rooted in Coase's [Coase, R.H., 1937. The nature of the firm. Economica, New Series 4, 386–405] seminal article. We show that the two important topics of the nature and boundaries of the firm, as well as the internal organization of the firm, give place to essential contributions. We present those contributions and their limits and then their possible developments. Finally we introduce the papers of this issue.