This paper argues that transforming the postal business model goes hand in hand with a transformation in the definition of universal service obligation. Whilst postal operators need to fully embrace the unique competitive space created by electronic substitution, at the intersection between the...

This paper seeks to study the institutional aspects of the regulatory reforms undertaken in the telecommunications sector in the European Union. It discusses the core functions of the telecommunications regulatory authorities established by the Member States, as prescribed by EU law, as well as...

This paper reviews, from an applied, policy-oriented point of view, the process of the creation of the new macro regulator in Spain, the CNMC, which concluded at the end of 2013. The institutional reform merged the competition authority with practically all sector regulators (except for the...

The paper examines the current state of competition in a number of sectors that are important for the economy. Because of the country’s small size and isolation, the analysis focuses on barriers to entry, investment and external trade, rather than some standard indicators of competition...

The OECD Growth Study and other empirical work have shown that the strength of competition in product markets plays an important role in the economic growth process as well as contributing to a more efficient allocation of resources in a static sense. More intense competition is likely to...

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its Digital Platform Services Inquiry, Interim Report No. 5 (Regulatory Reform) in September 2022. In December 2022, the Australian Treasury requested comments on the report. The ACCC Report recommends, inter alia, several...

Obwohl die Kompetenz zur Ausgestaltung ihrer sozialen Sicherungssysteme nach wie vor bei den Mitgliedstaaten der europäischen Union liegt, wendet der Europäische Gerichtshof seiner bisherigen Tradition folgend das europäische Gemeinschaftsrecht zunehmend auch auf die wirtschaftliche Seite...

This paper examines the strength of product market competition and economic performance in Canada and discusses way in which the institutional framework governing competition policy could be improved. Competitive forces are comparatively strong and administrative and economic regulations...

Maintaining rapid economic growth depends increasingly on productivity gains, particularly in the service sector. Competition has an important role to play in achieving such gains. However, Korea’s development strategy has tended to weaken competition and has left a legacy of government...