This paper introduces signaling in a standard market microstructure model so as to explore the economic circumstances under which hype and dump manipulation can be an equilibrium outcome.  We consider a discrete time, multi-period model with stages of signaling and asset trading.  A single...

This paper evaluates alternative strategic models of competition and market structure in online retailing, and makes comparisons with traditional retailing. Online consumers are less concerned than traditional consumers about spatial characteristics and more concerned about hidden quality...

The 1998 Competition Act represents a major change in the content and practice of competition policy in the United Kingdom, bringing it into line with European policy as practised under Articles 85 and 86. The paper presents an economic evaluation of the new provisions, and of the draft...

Edgworth's taxation paradox states that an excise tax can decrease the market price of a good.  This paper presents a new version of the paradox in which a tax reduces price because it attracts entry of additional firms into the market.  The paper also presents two new applications: (i) an...

Carbon leakage is a major concern for policymakers involved with environmental initiatives such as the European Union's emissions trading scheme and similar cap-and-trade proposals in the United States, Australia, and elsewhere.  This paper provides a framework for understanding the drives...

This paper examines the amount of grandfathering needed for an emissions trading scheme (ETS) to have a neutral impact on firm profits. We provide a simple formula to calculate profit-neutral grandfathering in a Cournot model with firms of different sizes and a general demand function. Using...