This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. First, the paper discusses the role of distribution systems in the overall economic performance. Next, it gives an overview of the structure and...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. The paper gives an overview of the structure of the Japanese distribution system and discusses its economic performance, both on the grounds of...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. The paper gives an overview of the distribution system in Sweden for the period 1970-88. Next, it addresses the question of the static and dynamic...

The purpose of this paper is to analyse regulatory developments in the road freight and retail distribution industries of OECD Member countries. For each industry, the analysis is divided into four parts. First, structural developments in the industry are outlined. Second, the main features of...

This paper forms part of an OECD project which addressed the issue of the structure and change in the distribution systems of seven OECD countries. The paper discusses the role of distribution systems in the Italian economy and gives an overview of the transformation of the Italian distribution...

Appropriately designed and implemented regulations are powerful tools for enhancing economic performance. A strong and sound regulatory framework can mitigate threats to health, safety, and the environment and address market imperfections. However, regulation can also create barriers to the...

Appropriately designed Product Market Regulation (PMR) is essential to enhance productivity, boost economic growth and increase welfare. Regulation is needed to address market failures and guarantee the health and safety of consumers. However, by limiting the entry and expansion of firms, a too...

This paper describes and analyses recent reforms in the natural gas market in Brazil aimed at fostering a more open, competitive, efficient, and flexible gas sector. This paper reviews the changes in the regulatory framework using two lenses: the reform process seen through a regulatory policy...

A competition-friendly business regulatory environment is essential for the well-functioning of markets. It ensures that important policy goals are addressed, and market failures tackled. However, regulation can also create barriers to the entry and expansion of firms that may limit and distort...

Gravity models are used to explore the determinants of trade, making use of fixed effect linear estimators and a Poisson estimator (as in Santos Silva and Tenreyro, 2006) with fixed effects. Beyond usual determinants of trade such as GDP, distance, contiguity, free trade areas and language, this...