The purpose of this paper is to estimate the degree of competition of consumer loan industry in Japan utilizing responses to a questionnaire survey conducted by Japan Consumer Finance Association. Estimating the cost function, we found that the industry is characterized by large scale economies....

Birmingham Assay Office was established in 1773 by Toy manufacturers producting plated goods like Matthew Boulton. Main products of Birmingham were plated by gilt technique, so it was not easy to get credit for their products as growing area. Assay office had to be needed not only for the...