This paper examines the impact of two interventions by Colombia's competition authority to enforce competition in the sugar market on firm performance in downstream sectors. Using an exogenous identification strategy, the analysis finds that following the competition authority's intervention...

Cloud computing underpins digital transformation and is essential for unlocking the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and scalable digital services. Yet Europe continues to lag behind global peers in both cloud and AI adoption. This underperformance is not merely...

In this report we study the implementation and effectiveness of the antitrust remedies that the European Commission imposed over the last 20 years pursuant to Article 7 (prohibition decisions) and Article 9 (commitments decisions) of Regulation 1/2003. To this end, we collect evidence from a...

In this report we study the implementation and effectiveness of the antitrust remedies that the European Commission imposed over the last 20 years pursuant to Article 7 (prohibition decisions) and Article 9 (commitments decisions) of Regulation 1/2003. To this end, we collect evidence from a...

What is EU competition policy and how does it relate to citizens and consumers? Competition means that businesses are under constant pressure to be better than their market competitors in order to win a larger share of customers. Competition stimulates innovation and technical progress, and this...

The Handbook on EU Competition Law - Rules Applicable to Merger Control gives an overview about EU legislation applicable in the field of Merger Control. The new 2010 edition includes the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty.

For decades, industrial policy and competition policy have been viewed as inherently conflicting, particularly where state intervention may distort markets. However, the current era of geopolitical uncertainty, technological transformation and fragile global supply chains calls for a rethinking...

Economic downturns and geopolitical tensions fuel protectionism, leading to trade barriers and competition policy manipulation to restrict FDI deemed harmful to national interests and favor domestic firms. National and international reforms are essential. Given challenges in global cooperation,...

This report examines two pivotal dimensions of the competitive process: the dynamics of market competition in developing economies and the role of government interventions in strengthening market competition, to provide updated policy recommendations. Chapter 1 presents stylized facts on the...

This study investigates how credit to firms responds to an energy price shock by comparing the credit growth of similar firms with different energy intensities before and after the shock triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Credit growth of energy-intensive firms declined by 8.75...

Competition authorities impose substantial penalties on firms engaging in illegal pricefixing. We examine how basing cartel fines on either revenue, profit, or price overcharge influences cartel and market prices, as well as cartel incidence and stability. In an infinitely repeated Bertrand...

A common approach to markets with adverse selection is to regulate competition to minimize inefficiencies, while preserving consumer choice among firms. We study the role of procurement auctions - leading to sole provision by the winning firm - as an alternative market design. Relative to...

It has been suggested that an intensified trade war between China and the US could reduce CO2 emissions associated with exports. We develop an export-greenfield-endogenous merger model, showing that significantly increased tariffs can enable domestic firms to undertake entry-deterring...

Efficient institutions matter in promoting Global Value Chains (GVCs) participation since they help reduce transaction costs for firms that engage in trade. Competition policy is considered an important dimension of these institutions. This paper investigates whether competition policy matters...

For the past decade, U.S. communications policymakers have been debating the need for net-neutrality regulation of "dominant" communications carrier platforms. One of the reasons advanced for regulating these carriers derives from a fear that carriers could reduce competition in the production...

What is EU competition policy and how does it relate to citizens and consumers? Competition means that businesses are under constant pressure to be better than their market competitors in order to win a larger share of customers. Competition stimulates innovation and technical progress, and this...

This paper explores algorithmic collusion from both legal and economic perspectives, underscoring the increasing influence of algorithms in firms’ market decisions and their potential to facilitate anti-competitive behaviour. By employing bandit algorithms as a model—typically used in...

Antitrust policy aims to reduce market concentration and increase competition among firms. Contemporary antitrust is sensitive to both domestic and international considerations. Internationally, the market is dominated by the largest firms, raising questions about the competitiveness of domestic...

This paper investigates the effects of competition laws and regulations on manufacturing firms productivity in Latin American countries (LACs), addressing a gap in existing research. Leveraging firm-level panel data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys across 14 LAC economies and competition...

Purpose The paper examines the impact of market power on wages within the context of a developing country, focusing on Brazil. Design/methodology/approach With access to matched employer-employee data from Brazil, we first characterized the evolution of the local labor market concentration...

Purpose: The paper examines the impact of market power on wages within the context of a developing country, focusing on Brazil. Design/methodology/approach: With access to matched employer-employee data from Brazil, we first characterized the evolution of the local labor market concentration...

Submarine cables enable international connectivity and are essential for high- speed internet access. This paper examines their impact on internet access price, focusing on price reductions driven by cost savings and competition intensity. Using a dataset of submarine cable capacity and internet...