Piracy and Competition

The effects of (private, small-scale) piracy on the pricing behavior of producers of information goods are studied within a unified model of vertical differentiation. Although information goods are assumed to be perfectly horizontally differentiated, demands are interdependent because the copying technology exhibits increasing returns to scale. We characterize the Bertrand-Nash equilibria in a duopoly. Comparing equilibrium prices to the prices set by a multiproduct monopolist, we show that competition drives prices up and reduces total surplus.information goods, piracy, copyright, pricing

The effects of taxes and subsidies on environmental qualities in a differentiated duopoly

AbstractIn a horizontally differentiated duopoly, a green attribute (environmental quality) can be added to the products. Average green quality generates a positive externality entering the Government's objective function (and possibly consumers' utility). A tax on the "dirtiest" product decreases its environmental quality but it increases that of the cleaner rival enough to imply an average quality increase, achieving environmental protection. The same holds for a subsidy to production targeted to the cleanest producer. A generic quality-related subsidy also increases the positive externality, increases profits of the greenest and lowers those of the dirtiest producer. Education campaigns by the Government also increase average green quality

Competition and regulation in European retail payment systems

In this study, the interaction between the competition-cooperation nexus and regulation in retail payment systems is analysed by applying the main lessons from the theory of network industries. This is justifiable on the grounds that the payment systems industry inherently has many characteristics in common with network industries. On the other hand, since the provision of payment services also has many special characteristics, the regulatory tools commonly used in many other network industries cannot be applied directly. In general, the main role of payment system regulators is to provide a level playing field for different service providers. To secure dynamic efficiency, the regulators also need to ensure adequate incentives for innovation and investment. In this respect, it is important that they do not take too restrictive an attitude towards cooperation among payment service providers. In addition to general policy analysis, the study also analyses developments in the European retail payment system field and the roles and aims of market participants.competition policy; payment systems; retail payments; network economics

Competition and regulation in European retail payment systems

In this study, the interaction between the competition-cooperation nexus and regulation in retail payment systems is analysed by applying the main lessons from the theory of network industries. This is justifiable on the grounds that the payment systems industry inherently has many characteristics in common with network industries. On the other hand, since the provision of payment services also has many special characteristics, the regulatory tools commonly used in many other network industries cannot be applied directly. In general, the main role of payment system regulators is to provide a level playing field for different service providers. To secure dynamic efficiency, the regulators also need to ensure adequate incentives for innovation and investment. In this respect, it is important that they do not take too restrictive an attitude towards cooperation among payment service providers. In addition to general policy analysis, the study also analyses developments in the European retail payment system field and the roles and aims of market participants.Competition policy, payment systems, retail payments, network economics

OPTIMIZING PT SEMEN PADANG PERFORMANCE POST-COMMERCIAL CENTRALIZATION TO THE HOLDCO

This research aims to explores the beneficial extension of the Holdco strategy and formulates the suitable meso-level strategies for PT Semen Padang. This research uses primary and secondary data collection methods, identifies the environments through generic frameworks, analyses qualitative data through thematic frameworks, and formulates the result as corporate and business strategies. According to the research, Holdco set the sales target in a top-down instruction without PT Semen Padang's interference on the procurement, marketing of cement and clinker, and supply chain functions. These functions are essential and inseparable from sales targets but withdrawn to Holdco. However, Holdco allows PT Semen Padang to develop the plant process, non-cement product, non-clinker product, and enter the non-cement business. Therefore, PT Semen Padang could fulfill the strategy gap and gain a global subsidiary mandate by building a university-industry collaboration, strengthening the vertical integration, utilizing cost-saving technologies, and the outside cement chain diversification. Keywords : Commercial Centralization, Global Subsidiary, Collaboration, Vertical Integration, Diversification  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi perluasan keuntungan dari strategi induk perusahaan dan merumuskan strategi tingkat meso yang sesuai untuk PT Semen Padang. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dan sekunder sebagai metode pengumpulan data, mengidentifikasi lingkungan melalui kerangka generik, menganalisis data kualitatif melalui kerangka tematik, dan merumuskan hasilnya sebagai strategi korporasi dan bisnis. Berdasarkan penelitian, induk perusahaan menetapkan target penjualan dengan arahan atas ke bawah tanpa campur tangan PT Semen Padang pada fungsi pengadaan, pemasaran semen dan klinker, dan rantai pasokan. Fungsi-fungsi tersebut penting dan tidak terlepas dari target penjualan tetapi ditarik ke induk perusahaan. Namun, induk perusahaan mengizinkan PT Semen Padang untuk mengembangkan proses pabrik, produk non-semen, produk non-klinker, dan memasuki bisnis non-semen. Oleh karena itu, PT Semen Padang dapat memenuhi kesenjangan strategi induk perusahaan dan memperoleh mandat anak perusahaan global dengan membangun kolaborasi universitas-industri, memperkuat integrasi vertikal, memanfaatkan teknologi hemat biaya, dan diversifikasi rantai diluar semen. Kata Kunci : Sentralisasi Komersial, Subsider Global, Kolaborasi, Integrasi Vertikal, Diversifikasi &nbsp

Artfilms, Handicrafts and Other Cultural Goods: The Case for Subsidy

Though widespread, the practice of public subsidies for cultural activity lacks a rigorous and consistent economic rationale. We analyze a canonical market structure that characterizes much cultural activity: the competition of mass-produced goods with heterogeneous non- standardized goods that are imperfect substitutes. We analyze several types of market failure: uncertainty about preferences (we do not know what we like, and we do not know what we might like in the future); endogeneity of preferences (we like what our neighbors talk about, and we like what we're accustomed to); and externalities associated with production (future production costs are determined by current production). The model provides a basis for cultural subsidies to promote social welfare and economic development.

Herd behavior, the "Penguin effect", and the suppression of informational diffusion: An analysis of informational externalities and payoff interdependency

Technology;Information;Econometric Models;Group Behaviour

Barter for price discrimination? A theory and evidence from Russia

Unprecedented demonetization of Russia’s transition economy has been explained by tight monetary policy, tax evasion and poor …nancial intermediation. We show that market power may also be important. We build a model of imperfect competition in which …rms use barter for price discrimination. The model predicts a positive relationship between concentration of market power and share of barter in sales. The model has multiple equilibria which may explain persistence of barter in Russia but not in other economies. Using a unique dataset on barter transactions in Russia, we show that the …rm-level evidence is consistent with the model’s predictions.barter, price discrimination, Cournot oligopoly

The Role of Marketing Information Systems on Business Firms Competitiveness: Integrated Review Paper from Business Perspective

This review paper point out the role of management information Systems in businesses firms competitive advantage from business perspective. Currently, information systems and technologies are a imperative components of successful and competitive businesses. Information technologies consists of Internet-based information systems are playing a vital and expanding role in enhancing firms economic growth.The experience of organizations' managers needs to be provided with the necessary information to reduce risks and make the most appropriate decisions. Thus, firms turn to information systems for the provision of information as firms asset which supplements decision making and performance of business.For the last three decades, different types of information systems are emerged for different intention, depending on the need of the business firms. In today’s very competitive business world, there are various information systems are emerged such as transaction processing systems (TPS), office automation systems (OAS), managerial information systems (MIS), decision support systems (DSS), and executive information systems (EIS), Expert System (ES) and others that supports decision making at different levels of management. In addition to this, there are several functional business systems which enables functional areas managers to make right decision and support business operation in functional areas of business (marketing, manufacturing and production, human resource, accounting) and cross functional business information livelihood information-processing and decision-making needs of several departments such as Supply chain management systems (SCM), customer relationship management systems (CRM), enterprise resource planning systems (ERP). Each information systems, functional and cross functional systems plays a different role in organizational hierarchy and management operations. To purpose of this review, reviewer collected different information related with marketing/management information system that supports business decision making and enhances firms competitiveness. This review paper study endeavors to explain the role information systems in business organizations competitiveness. Keywords: Business Organ0i0 zation, Competitiveness, Strategic advantage, Information Systems. DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/72-01 Publication date:October 31st 202