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Our economists publish research papers, write notes and make presentations on projects we have worked on. Have a look to our publications below:

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11 July 2017 - Research Papers , Competition Economics, Competition Policy, Policy Assessments, Telecoms

Economic impact of competition policy enforcement on the functioning of telecoms markets in the EU

The report empirically investigates the causal effects of three decisions adopted by the European Commission on the performance of telecoms markets, namely the T-Mobile/Orange merger in the UK mobile markets, a state aid decision in the German fixed broadband market and an abuse of dominant position by Telekomunikacja Polska in the Polish fixed market. The […] Read more


17 July 2012 - Research Papers , Policy Assessments

Competition policy and productivity growth: an empirical assessment

This paper empirically investigates the effectiveness of Competition Policy by estimatingits impact on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth for 22 industries in 12 OECD countries over the period 1995-2005. Using country-industry and time fixed effects, and controlling for most other determinants of productivity growth, we find a robust positiveand significant effect of competition policy as […] Read more


14 June 2011 - Research Papers , Policy Assessments, Regulation

Responsible Lending – Barriers to Competition

This study analyses the main barriers to effective competition in the provision of mortgage credit. The study considers and discusses barriers affecting both the supply (distance, information sharing, cross-selling practices, linkages between mortgage lenders and other market players) and the demand (switching and search costs) side of the market. Based on the available evidence it […] Read more


31 January 2011 - Research Papers , Policy Assessments

Measuring the deterrence properties of competition policy: the competition policy indexes

This article describes in detail a set of newly developed indicators of the quality of competition policy, the Competition Policy Indexes (CPIs). The CPIs measure the deterrence properties of a jurisdiction’s competition policy—where by competition policy, we mean the antitrust legislation including the merger control provisions and its enforcement. The CPIs incorporate data on how […] Read more


1 October 2009 - Research Papers , Abuse of Dominance, Cartels, Competition Economics, Policy Assessments, Regulation

Deterrence in Competition Law

This paper provides a comprehensive discussion of the deterrence properties of a competition policy regime. On the basis of the economic theory of law enforcement we identify several factors that are likely to affect its degree of deterrence: 1) sanctions and damages; 2) financial and human resources; 3) powers during the investigation; 4) quality of […] Read more


10 January 2007 - Research Papers , Competition Economics, Mergers, Policy Assessments

Ex post review of merger control decisions

In this study prepared for the European Commission Lear proposes a methodology for the ex-post assessment of merger control decisions. The aim of the methodology is to establish whether the market structure arising from the decision protects social welfare better than the market structures that could have arisen from alternative decisions. The methodology also assesses […] Read more


13 September 2006 - Research Papers , Abuse of Dominance, Competition Economics, Policy Assessments

The cost of inappropriate interventions/non interventions under Article 82

The object of this research produced by the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) from LEAR is to improve the understanding of the costs of inappropriate competition authority (non) intervention in cases relating to abuse of dominance. A key aim is a greater understanding of these ‘error costs’ by type of abuse, industry characteristics and […] Read more