In this paper we apply standard cartel theory to identify the major institutional stabilizers of Germany's area tariff system of collective bargaining between a single industry union and the industry's employers association. Our cartel analysis allows us to demonstrate that recent labor policy...

We analyze the bargaining problem of an incumbent firm and a union when the wage contract becomes generally binding. Our main application relates to competition among operators of mail delivery networks. We describe the Deutsche Post case which highlights the raising rivals' costs incentive and...

Kaum eine ordnungspolitische oder regulatorische Frage hat in der deutschen Telekommunikationsbranche wohl in den letzten Jahren für so viel Aufruhr gesorgt, wie die Einführung des neuen §9a in das Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG). Die neue Vorschrift sieht vor, dass die Bundesnetzagentur...

This paper provides a hedonic price analysis of mobile telephones for the German market. We have assembled data on 302 different handsets from 25 manufacturers over the period from May 1998 to November 2003. While volume has a negative effect on the price of a mobile handset, the number of...