This paper evaluates the incentive of firms to vertically integrate in asimple 2X2 Bertrand model of two substitutes that are each comprised oftwo complementary components. It confirms that all prices fall as aresult of a vertical merger. Further, we find that, when the compositegoods are poor...

This paper develops techniques to analyze the adoption decisions of bothconsumers and firms for competing platform intermediaries in two-sidedmarkets, and applies the methodology to empirically measure the impactof vertical integration and exclusive contracting in thesixth-generation of the U.S....

This paper analyzes the effects of net neutrality regulation oninvestment incentives for Internet service providers (ISPs) and contentproviders (CPs), and their implications for social welfare. We show thatthe ISP s decision on the introduction of discrimination across contentdepends on a...

Electric utility distribution system impacts associated with the integration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) energy sources vary from site to site and utility to utility. The objective of this paper is to examine several utility- and site-specific conditions which may affect economic viability...

During the next several years, the U.S. electricity industry is likely to change dramatically. Instead of an industry dominated by vertically integrated companies that are regulated primarily by state public utility commissions, we may see an industry with many more participants and less...

Regardless of the form of restructuring, deregulated electricity industries share one common feature: the absence of any significant, rapid demand-side response to the wholesale (or, spotmarket) price. For a variety of reasons, electricity industries continue to charge most consumers an average...

Regardless of the form of restructuring, deregulatedelectricity industries share one common feature: the absence of anysignificant, rapid demand-side response to the wholesale (or, spotmarket) price. For a variety of reasons, most electricity consumers stillpay an average cost based regulated...

Using data from the 128 bit video game industry this paper evaluates the effect of vertical integration and the foreclosure of complementary software to rival hardware. Foreclosure occurs when a console hardware manufacturer produces software which is incompatible with rival hardware. Estimation...

The rise of contract farming and vertical integration is one of the most important changes in modern agriculture. Yet the adoption and diffusion of these new forms of organization has varied widely across regions, commodities, or farm types, however. Transaction cost theories and the like are...

Cooperative formation in agriculture sometimes occurs in response to the exit of a private firm and typically requires substantial equity investment by participating farmers. What economic rationale can explain why farmers are willing to contribute capital to an activity that (apparently) fails...