S/E/90. Competitive markets and competition policy in the UK and European Union

The paper examines the competition policy of the UK and European Union (EU) reviewing theoretical approaches to market structures and discussing perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly. Business strategies of the UK and EU are reviewed.

C/E/135. Competitive Market Structures: The Airline Industry

This paper attempts to analyse the characteristics of an industry that help or hinder the organisation and the effectiveness of a cartel with reference to the recent case of British Airways being investigated for fixing the fuel surcharge. The paper details a checklist of the characteristics of the industry which susceptible to formation of a cartel and matches it with the airline industry.

E/E/38. Why do Premier League football clubs form a cartel?

The paper examines the reasons why Football Association Premier League (FAPL) clubs form a cartel describing the advantages of a cartel and illustrating them with examples of UK football clubs benefiting from their position in the cartel by getting higher profits, better co-ordination, etc.

E/E/27. Influence of market structure on prices

The paper examines the influence of the market structure on the prices a company charges analysing the features of a perfectly and imperfectly competitive markets and comparing prices under perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly. Related academic literature is reviewed.

P/E/496. McCarthy's marketing mix model

The paper discusses the concept of marketing mix analysis reviewing McCarthy's model of 4Ps (product, price, place and promotion), and discussing its role in the development of competitive economies.

P/E/403. European competition policy: history and current challenges

The paper examines the European competition policy (ECP) tracing its history from the origins of the EU and reviewing the legislation related to the convergence of national competition policies. The work of the Competition Commission is discussed highlighting the increased volume of trade and negotiations.

P/E/388. Barriers to market entry

The paper examines the types of barriers used by companies as tools to deter entry to their markets including strategic barriers, structural barriers, price barriers and non-price barriers. Each type of barrier is described arguing its effectiveness to stop potential entrants.

P/E/295. National competitiveness: theory and examples

The paper examines the concept of national competitiveness discussing Michael Porters theory of competitive advantage in the context of other academic views. Segments of industry in various countries are compared including utilization of steel capacity, cotton textile industry, etc.

P/E/242. EU competition policy: legislative aspects for Hoffman La Roche

The paper discusses the EU competition policy reporting on the case of the Swiss vitamin producing company Hoffman La Roche (HLR) that was fined by the European Commission for colluding with other companies. Examples of activities prohibited by EU competition policy are given; theoretical approaches to the emergence of cartels are discussed.

C/E/72. Industrial policy Vs. Competition Policy

Competition Policy aims to increase competition by establishing single market open level field for companies to work in. Industrial policy "helps" companies to stay within the business by providing subsidies, tax breaks and establishing protection. This works looks at how industrial policy is constrained by competition policy and provides reasons why government aid has decreased over the years.

C/E/70. Antitrust policy in EU

This work looks at the developments of Antitrust Competition Policy in the EU from 2001 to 2005. Formation of cartels decrease economic growth, increase prices and decrease innovation within the economy as they reduce competition. One of the key development areas was an introduction of greater cooperation between member states that allows the EU Commission to prioritise cases and reduce the number of cartels faster.

P/E/206. UK Competition Policy

The paper looks at the role of British competition policy in the economic growth of the country. The steps taken to align the UK competition policy with European legislation are discussed; conclusions are made about the impacts of the Competition Act 1998, and the Enterprise Act 2002 on closing Britain's productivity gap to some other main economies.

P/E/15. Competition in Industrial Economics. Barriers to entry

Introduction
´A contestable market is characterized by free entry and free exit.Ž However the access to certain markets is difficult, because certain barriers of entry are erected. This essay will outline the role of barriers of entry into an industry as a device for the maintenance of a monopoly. As an initial step I will define what is meant by the term ´barriers of entryŽ. Second, I show up the different kinds of barriers that can be found. Third, I evaluate the different barriers to point out whether they are significant for maintaining a monopoly or not. Finally I give two examples of nowadays barriers that can be found in the UK.

C/E/18. Explain the main difference in outcome between markets in which there is perfect competition and markets in which there is monopoly. Why is monopoly considered to be inferior from the perspective of allocative efficiency?

C/E/19. What are the monopolistic competition and oligopoly? What are then main differences and similarities between these two market structures and perfectly competitive markets?

S/E/21. What are the Differences between Trade Theories based on Comparative Advantage, Specific Factors and Factor Proportions? Is There a Method of Reconciling the Content of These Three Theories? What Predictions can be derived from substituting Land and Skills for Capital and Labour in the Hecksher-Ohlin Model? Do These Predictions Survive Empirical Testing?

This paper outlines each of the competitive models of trade, from the comparative advantage to the specific factors and the Hecksher-Ohlin model. It highlights the key differences between the models and then goes on to reconcile them. Finally, the paper highlights the key criticism of the H-O model and offers a solution to this problem (citing key works from Leontief and Wood). This is a post-graduate style essay, but is applicable to all levels of study within the international trade context.

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