Kremer, M. (1993). <i>The O-Ring Theory of Economic Development.</i><p><i>The Quarterly Journal of Economics</i>, 108(3), 551–575. doi:10.2307/2118400<p><a href="https://sci-hub.ru/10.2307/2118400" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://sci-hub.ru/10.2307/2118400</a><p>Sci-Hub, largely a one person venture, delivers information to millions across the planet while undercutting a paid journal model that seeks to profit by gatekeeping research much of which is socially funded.<p>The linked paper by Kremer appears to focus on high quality production chains with near zero tolerance for failure (the O-Ring that brough down a space shuttle) and treats this with the usual economic modelling tools.<p>I can't say I've ever been happy with those tools modelling actual real life humans - they do such interesting out of band things such as start Sci-Hub or choose to work on difficult demanding projects for "the challenge" moreso than "hyper rational economic reasons" that maximise returns.
Saw someone use this for an explanation of why the German economy is so competitive. High concentration of industrial excellence, with all the factors needed to sustain it.