Seit der Fernbusliberalisierung im Januar 2013 hat eine starke Durchdringung des Marktes für Personenverkehr durch Fernbusse stattgefunden. Es zeigt sich deutlich, dass bereits zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt Wettbewerbseffekte auf den Schienenpersonenfernverkehr feststellbar sind. Dies lässt sich vor...

Im Dezember 2013 wurde die Markttransparenzstelle für Kraftstoffe in Betrieb genommen. Jetzt stellt sich die Frage, ob die Einführung tatsächlich zu einer Intensivierung des Wettbewerbs auf dem Tankstellenmarkt beigetragen hat. Die hier vorgestellte Analyse beruht erstmals auf umfassenden...

This paper analyzes a sequential game where firms decide about outsourcing the production of a non-specific input good to an imperfectly competitive input market. We apply the taxonomy of business strategies introduced by Fudenberg and Tirole (1984) to characterize the different equilibria. We...

This paper examines the consequences of introducing mobile number portability (MNP). As MNP allows consumers to keep their telephone number when switching providers, it reduces consumers' switching costs. However, MNP may also cause consumer ignorance if telephone numbers no longer identify...

This paper examines the causes and effects of mobile number portability (MNP) and provides a survey of its implementation in Europe. We first examine the competitive effects and the costs of introducing MNP. Next, we discuss how to charge for MNP. We argue that a price cap regime starting from...

Many cartels are formed by individual managers of different firms, but not by firms as collectives. However, most of the literature in industrial economics neglects individuals' incentives to form cartels. Although oligopoly experiments reveal important insights on individuals acting as firms,...

Many cartels are formed by individual managers of different firms, but not by firms as collectives. However, most of the literature in industrial economics neglects individuals' incentives to form cartels. Although oligopoly experiments reveal important insights on individuals acting as firms,...

Traditional economic theory of collusion assumed that cartels are inherently unstable, and yet some manage to operate for years or even decades. While the literature has presented several determinants of cartel stability, the vast majority focuses on firms as entities, even though cartels are...

[Introduction:] The route to customers is becoming increasingly digital, for any business. There is hardly any business that is not focussing on reaching customers online. The Covid-19 pandemic has further accelerated this trend. In many markets, digital platforms have become essential tools for...

Die Messewirtschaft ist in Deutschland durch eine Konkurrenz privater und öffentlicher Messeveranstalter gekennzeichnet. Im Gegensatz zu den privaten Veranstaltern sind die öffentlichen Messeveranstalter vertikal integriert: Sie besitzen und betreiben einerseits die lokale Messeinfrastruktur,...