This paper analyses the effects of concentration on profitability in the US banking sector from 1994-2005, using bank-level panel data. A new index of concentration is proposed, which reflects the depth and intensity of concentration. The econometric specification facilitates the simultaneous...

This paper discusses how ICT and emerging electronic commerce in consumer products influence the relative efficiency in production of households and firms, resulting in changes in the division of tasks between these two types of agents. Increased information and competence of households, in...

This paper employs the Panzar and Rosse (1987) and the Bresnahan models to determine the level of competition in the South African banking sector. This level of competition was tested during the period 1998 to 2008 for the Panzar and Rosse approach and from 1992 to 2008 for the Bresnahan model....

This paper reviews the current empirical literature on competition and market structure of Philippine industries. It shows that weak competition is one of the fundamental factors that explain limited growth, productivity, and employment in the economy. Philippine experience has shown that...

The paper discusses the Russian power sector reform plan, approved by the government in July 2001, which outlines the framework for competition and changes in ownership structure. The paper focuses on the following issues related to the plan: restructuring of regional energos and large...

Kazakhstan is at the forefront of power sector reform in the EBRD’s countries of operations. Starting in 1996, a regulator was set up, the industry was unbundled, some distribution and generation companies were privatised, and the large user market was liberalised. A number of reform...

We examine a Bertrand competition game between two intermediaries offering matching services between two sides of a market. Indirect network externalities arise as the probability of finding one's match with a given intermediary increase with the number of agents of the other side who use the...

In this paper we analyse determinants of firm R&D using matched Swedish employer-employee data spanning the period 1990-1999. We explore if <p> predictions from the model of creative destruction are supported by data. <p> Using various measures of competition, results indicate that competition is...</p></p>

New informationa and communication technology (ICT) makes consumers better informed about available products, product quality and prices, which mitigates problems of assymetry of information. The entry of firms is facilitated, competition and economic efficiency is boosted and the market powers...

This Paper examines competition between a dominant network and a challenging network with third-degree or perfect price-discrimination, allowing for arbitrary configurations of network externalities, as well as horizontal and vertical product differentiation. Domination in the coordination game...