Read what we write
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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15 July 2005 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Managerial Incentives and Collusive Behavior
I characterize the effects of empirically observed managerial incentives on long-run oligopolistic competition. When managers have a preference for smooth time-paths of profits – as revealed by the empirical literature on “income smoothing” – manager-led firms can sustain collusive agreements at lower discount factors. Capped bonus plans and incumbency rents with termination threats make collusion […] Read more
15 June 2005 - Research Papers
, Abuse of Dominance, Competition Economics, Mergers
Competition in the Internet Backbone Market
This paper presents a competitive assessment of the global market for the provision of universal Internet connectivity (backbone market). We discuss the approach followed by the EC Commission in two important merger cases. The main argument is for a restless evolution of the structure of the market, whereby an highly concentrated US-centric industry, with a […] Read more
14 November 2004 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Divide et Impera: Optimal Deterrence Mechanisms Against Cartels and Organized Crime
Leniency programs reduce sanctions for law violators that self-report. We focus on their ability to deter cartels and organized crime by increasing incentives to “cheat” on partners. Optimally designed “courageous” leniency programs reward the first party that reports with the fines paid by all other parties, and achieve the first best: complete and costless deterrence. […] Read more
13 April 2004 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Auction Size and Collusion
This paper analyzes the consequences of the size of an auction, in terms of the volume of product and the time lenght covered by the auctioned contract, on the incentive bidders have to collude. The paper shows that the recommendation to increase as much as possible the auction size in order to prevent bidders from […] Read more
15 December 2003 - Research Papers
, Abuse of Dominance, Cartels, Competition Economics, Cooperation and Vertical Agreements, Litigation, Mergers, Policy Assessments, Regulation
A Search Model Where Consumers Choose Quantity Based on Expected Price
I describe a price game in which consumers face search costs and base their quantity decision on the expected price. Because of search costs, the choice of the firm they will buy from is described by a random process. I show that the expected equilibrium price is above the monopoly price. This result does not […] Read more
15 August 2002 - Research Papers
, Abuse of Dominance, Competition Economics, Mergers, Policy Assessments
Competition Policy and the Agribusiness Sector in the European Union
This paper analyses the main antitrust decisions in the agribusiness sector in Europe. First, legislation and economic principles are recalled. Then for input suppliers, farmers, manufacturers, and retailers, we give a brief presentation of the market structure and discuss the main competition concerns according to the most recent antitrust decisions. Farmers are the weakest link […] Read more
15 June 2002 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Indizi economici e collusione
Economic evidence and proof of a collusive agreement. I investigate whether some economic observations may contribute to prove the existence of an illegal collusive agreement. The facts analyzed are: simultaneous increase in prices, price parallelism, market shares stability, price similarity among firms when firms have different costs, price similarity among firms and products when products […] Read more
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