A model-based derivation of an effective antitrust policy requires an economic framework that includes three actors: a cartel, a group of competing fringe firms, and a welfare maximizing antitrust authority. In existing models of cartel behavior, at least one of these actors is always missing....

The firms in this model set non-binding list prices before competing for buyers by non-cooperatively granting discounts. Each firm has an incentive to set a high list price if, for example, the customers anchor their willingness-to-pay on the list price. However, list price competition occurs if...

We provide a theory of how RPM facilitate upstream cartels absent any information asymmetries using a model with manufacturer and retailer competition. Because retailers have an effective outside option to each manufacturer's contract, the manufacturers can only ensure contract acceptance by...

This paper analyzes the inner workings of cartels. To understand how sanctioning institutions prevent cartel formation we study their effect on firms' communication in a laboratory experiment. Using machine learning to organize the chat communication into topics, we find that firms are less...

Using a unique dataset, which combines bank organizational variables, information on lending techniques, firms' credit demand and others balance sheet indicators, we investigate the impact of lending organization on credit dynamics during the crisis period. Our main findings suggest that the...

The new developments in the agri-food product market in terms of quality, but also due to changes in the consumer behavior of agri-food products, it is necessary to implement new strategies on this market. These are primarily reflected in assessing and improving the quality of agri-food...

The fruit production is a competitive and dynamic sector with many uncertainties coming from fruit biology, diseases and pests that attack them, the climate change, the distribution market and the complexity of logistics activities. Post-harvest handling activities can considerably improve the...

Credence goods markets, such as those for car repairs and medical treatments, are generally characterized by an ex-ante and ex-post information asymmetry between the uninformed buyer and the informed seller. Previous literature demonstrates that efficiency and fraud in a monopolist credence...