Competitive effects of low trade barriers: evaluations for the Kaliningrad region

International trade is an important factor affecting competition in domestic markets. Considering the vastness of Russian territory, one can expect the pro-competitive effect to vary from region to region. This analysis tests the hypothesis that the unique geographical position and economic status of the Kaliningrad region contribute to the rapid development of international trade, which, in turn, exerts competitive pressure on regional prices. The study incorporates two major lines of analysis: a) a comparison of the international trade growth rates of different Russian regions; b) an assessment of the influence of Russian and European prices on the consumer price index as well as prices for particular tradable goods in the Kaliningrad region. Rosstat and Eurostat serve as the main data sources. To test their hypothesis, the authors use the methods of statistical and econometric analysis. The status of the free economic zone and unique geographic position of the Kaliningrad region do not result in high growth rates of international trade in the region, but rather lead to a structural shift towards import thus exerting additional competitive pressure on domestic prices. The analysis did not confirm the hypothesis about the considerable influence of European prices on the short run dynamics of the regional consumer prices index or prices for certain imported goods. Nevertheless, indirect evidence of competitive effects of foreign trade was found in the course of a comparative analysis of price levels in the regions of the Northwest Federal district: the cost of the standard set of consumer goods and services in the Kaliningrad region is lower than the level defined by the regional per capita income

Otkrytost' rossijskoj jekonomiki: tendencii i mezhdunarodnye sopostavlenija [The openness of the Russian economy: tendencies and international comparison]

This paper assesses the level of openness of the Russian economy. It demonstrates that the openness indicators used in the Concept of Long-term Social and Economic Development of the Russian Federation differ from those employed by international organisations. The paper examines the intensity of Russian trade in terms of its gross domestic product and the relatively high barriers in relation to import penetration in Russia. Methodological differences determine the differences in the analysis results

The openness of the Russian economy: tendencies and international comparison

This paper assesses the level of openness of the Russian economy. It demonstrates that the openness indicators used in the Concept of Long-term Social and Economic Development of the Russian Federation differ from those employed by international organisations. The paper examines the intensity of Russian trade in terms of its gross domestic product and the relatively high barriers in relation to import penetration in Russia. Methodological differences determine the differences in the analysis results

Competitive effects of low trade barriers: evaluations for the Kaliningrad region

International trade is an important factor affecting competition in domestic markets. Considering the vastness of Russian territory, one can expect the pro-competitive effect to vary from region to region. This analysis tests the hypothesis that the unique geographical position and economic status of the Kaliningrad region contribute to the rapid development of international trade, which, in turn, exerts competitive pressure on regional prices. The study incorporates two major lines of analysis: a) a comparison of the international trade growth rates of different Russian regions; b) an assessment of the influence of Russian and European prices on the consumer price index as well as prices for particular tradable goods in the Kaliningrad region. Rosstat and Eurostat serve as the main data sources. To test their hypothesis, the authors use the methods of statistical and econometric analysis. The status of the free economic zone and unique geographic position of the Kaliningrad region do not result in high growth rates of international trade in the region, but rather lead to a structural shift towards import thus exerting additional competitive pressure on domestic prices. The analysis did not confirm the hypothesis about the considerable influence of European prices on the short run dynamics of the regional consumer prices index or prices for certain imported goods. Nevertheless, indirect evidence of competitive effects of foreign trade was found in the course of a comparative analysis of price levels in the regions of the Northwest Federal district: the cost of the standard set of consumer goods and services in the Kaliningrad region is lower than the level defined by the regional per capita income

Concerted practice enforcement in Russia: How judicial review shapes the standards of evidence and number of enforcement targets

A judicial review of the infringement decisions of the competition authority substantially affects the standard of evidence in competition enforcement as well as the structure of cases that the competition authority takes. Enforcement against concerted practice in Russia represents a case-study of interaction between commercial courts of first instance, the Highest Court, the competition authority as enforcer, market participants and the legislator to influence the standards of liability under investigation of concerted practice. We examine the judicial review of infringement decisions on concerted practice and track the evolution of legal definition and sufficiency of evidence in such cases. We show, first, that in Russian enforcement, the ability of the Highest Court to influence the criteria of first instance courts is limited (in contrast to the ability of the first instance court to influence the strategy of enforcement by the competition authority). Second, the increase in the burden of proof motivates the competition authority to refrain from an investigation of concerted practice, in accordance with the prediction of the model of the selection of enforcement target by reputation-maximizing authority

Meeting blindly… Is Austrian economics useful for dynamic capabilities theory?

This paper relates competition studies and views on competition policy within Austrian economics to the dynamic capabilities theory. The idea of interacting research programs in economics is used to provide the frame for reflecting on particular issues of competition, on the one hand, and (1) ignorance, (2) knowledge (including tacit knowledge), (3) rationality, (4) equilibrium, (5) innovation, (6) entrepreneurship, and (7) monopoly, on the other hand. Unlike the majority of previous studies, these issues are discussed here mainly through the lens of new institutional economics. Williamson's three-level scheme is used to explain opportunities and constraints for mutually enriching exchange of concepts between different but close approaches in economic research. This paper shows that there are important interconnections and complementarities despite significant differences in objects of study and weak mutual flows of ideas and concepts

Phase Composition and Morphological Characteristics of Biomimetic Composites Carbonate Hydroxyapatite-Hyaluronic Acid

Проведен синтез кальций- фосфатных композитов из прототипов синовиальной жидкости при варьировании концентрации высокомолекулярной гиалуроновой кислоты в модельном растворе. Установлено, что все композиты представлены плохо окристаллизованым карбонатгидроксиапатитом и содержат от 35 до 40 масс.% полисахарида. Выявлено, что с увеличением вязкости среды уменьшается параметр а кристаллической решетки гидроксиапатита и образуются наиболее окристаллизованные осадки, средний размер кристаллитов составляет ~ 15 нм, удельная поверхность образцов не изменяется и составляет 105–130 м2/г, чешуйчатые агрегаты приобретают овальную форму. Исследована растворимость композитов в ацетатном буферном растворе и в 0,9 % растворе хлорида натрия. С увеличением содержания гиалуроновой кислоты в модельном растворе уменьшается резорбируемость полученных композитовThe effects of high- molecular hyaluronic acid on the phase composition, crystal lattice parameters, and the sizes of the regions of coherent dispersion, depending on its content in the synthesis solution, have been studied. All composites are represented by poorly crystallized carbonate hydroxyapatite. With an increase in the viscosity of the medium, the broadening of the parameter a of the hydroxyapatite crystal lattice decreases and the most crystallized precipitates are formed, the average size of the crystallites is ~ 15 nm, the specific surface area of the samples does not change (105–130 m2/g