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 2006 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Does Parallel Behavior Provide Some Evidence of Collusion?
Antitrust authorities often consider parallel pricing and market share stability to be clues of illegal collusion. To analyze whether this inference is correct, I develop a model of price competition with differentiated products in which demand and costs vary over time. In many cases parallel pricing does not distinguish between a competitive and a collusive […] Read more
13 December 2005 - Research Papers
, Cartels, Competition Economics
Optimal Fines in the Era of Whisteblowers. Should Price Fixers still Go to Prison?
We review current methods for calculating fines against cartels in the US and EU, and simulate their deterennce effects under different assumptions on the legal and economic environment. It is likely that European fines have not had significant deterrence effects before leniency programs were introduced. Previous simulations of the effects of fines ignore the different […] Read more
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
13 June 2005 - Research Papers
, Regulation
So Far, so Close: Competition Analysis of Backbone and Local Access for Broadband Internet
This report presents a competitive assessment of the Internet infrastructure across Europe. The analysis ranges from the upstream global market for the provision of universal Internet connectivity to the downstream national markets for the provision of local network access.
13 June 2005 - Research Papers
, Regulation
So Soft, so Hard: Competition Issues in the Provision of Content and E-commerce Services
This report deals with the provision of content and other applications to Internet users. The first part is focused on information/entertainment content applications. The second one addresses the issue of e-commerce.
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
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