In a competitive market, firms and consumers make decisions based on several aspects of the product involved. While price is a fundamental aspect, it is not the only one: in many markets, innovation, quality, variety or even privacy may play at least some role in the competition between firms....

This paper calls attention to the opportunity for competition authorities to contribute to the fight for gender equality, the fifth of the UN’s sustainable development goals. It argues that this can be done without compromising on the consumer welfare focus of many authorities, and indeed that...

This paper discusses recent developments in the enforcement practice of gun jumping and contrast them with business needs in various stages before closing a merger. It was prepared as a background note for the OECD Competition Committee roundtable discussion on “Gun jumping and suspensory...

This paper introduces the concept of blockchain and considers whether and how the rise of blockchain technology is relevant to the work of competition authorities. It was prepared as a background note for a discussion on Blockchain Technology and Competition Policy held at the OECD in June 2018.

This paper sets out the theoretical foundations for a leniency programme, the key pre-conditions for a leniency policy to work, the challenges of coordinating leniency programmes with other cartel enforcement policies and deals with challenges that companies and competition authorities face for...

This paper considers a variety of anti-competitive conducts undertaken by State-Owned Enterprises, identifies the main challenges for competition authorities in these types of investigation, the factors that create those difficulties, and if, and how, they might result in under enforcement. It...

This paper analyses particular forms of personalised pricing that are more likely to be observed in digital markets, supported by automated data tools and involving business-to-consumer relationships. It was prepared as a background note for a discussion held at the OECD in November 2018 on...

This paper argues that there is a need for competition agencies to become more active and effective advocates for the use of choice and competition in publicly funded healthcare markets. It suggests that the need for strong regulation will not shrink or disappear, as it might do in a utility,...