Internationalization, Market Power and Consumer Welfare

In the years prior to this book being originally published in 1992, the study of industrial economics had been dominated by the USA. While there was a fund of theoretical and empirical knowledge relating to the US experience, this is not always relevant in the context of Europe. With its considerable national market the USA developed competition policies that differ from those in the smaller economies of European countries.

This collection of essays looks at the market behaviour of an economy more open to international competition. The industrial organization of Sweden provides the ideal representation of smaller economies that can be applied to the other economies of western Europe.

The contributors apply different analytical approaches to assess direct and indirect forms of market power. Some papers draw on econometric cross-sectional models exploring the scope of market power and the role of international competition. Others look at specific markets investigating the formation of market power – its costs to consumers and the role of lobbying groups and the political sphere: case studies include the domestic car, white goods, pharmaceutical goods, food, textile and air transport markets. The book also contains papers that examine the role of competition policy towards restrictive practices and mergers in curbing market power and promoting economic efficiency.

This book will be of interest to those studying industrial economics and international business and marketing.