International Trade with Endogenous Mode of Competition in General Equilibrium

This paper endogenizes the extent of intra-sectoral competition in a multi-sectoral general-equilibrium model of oligopoly and trade. Firms choose capacity followed by prices. If the benefits of capacity investment in a given sector are below a threshold level, the sector exhibits Bertrand behaviour, otherwise it exhibits Cournot behaviour. By endogenizing the threshold parameter in general equilibrium, we show how exogenous shocks such as globalization and technological change alter the mix of sectors between “more” and “less” competitive, or Bertrand and Cournot, and affect the relative wages of skilled and unskilled workers, even in a “North-North” model with identical countries.

Endogenous Mode of Competition in General Equilibrium

This paper endogenises the extent of intra-sectoral competition in a multi-sectoral model of oligopoly in general equilibrium. Firms choose capacity followed by prices. If the benefits of capacity investment in a given sector are below a threshold level, the sector exhibits Bertrand behaviour, otherwise it exhibits Cournot behaviour. By endogenising the threshold parameter in general equilibrium, we show how exogenous shocks alter the mix of sectors between "more" and "less" competitive, or Bertrand and Cournot. The model also has implications for the effects of trade liberalisation and technological change on the relative wages of skilled and unskilled workers.Bertrand and Cournot competition; GOLE (General Oligopolistic Equilibrium); Kreps- Scheinkman; market integration

On the Impact of Labor Market Matching on Regional Disparities

We propose a model where imperfect matching between firms and workers on local labor markets leads to spatial agglomeration. We show that the occurrence of spatial agglomeration depends on initial size differences in terms of both number of workers and firms. We analyse the effect of different public policies. In our setting, the effect of a higher level of human capital on regional disparities depends on whether it makes workers more mobile on the labour market or more specialised. Policies that increase workers’ interregional mobility, increase the likelihood that regions diverge. Finally, competition policy is shown to reduce regional disparities.Economic geography, local labor market, regional disparities, human capital

HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL INTRA-INDUSTRY TRADE IN THE PROCESSED FOOD SECTOR

For the first time in the food trade literature, the determinants of intra-industry trade (IIT) in horizontally differentiated products and vertically differentiated products are separately tested using the most recent theoretical models of IIT. For both 1980 and 1990, the econometric results confirm country- and industry- specific determinants proposed by these models for explaining horizontal and vertical IIT in the European processed food sector.intra-industry trade, horizontal differentiation, vertical differentiation, processed food sector, European Union, Agribusiness, Industrial Organization,

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Revisiting "On nations' size and transportation costs"

In international trade as well in the "New Economic Geography", country size is represented solely by the size of the country's population. A notable exception is the paper by Shachmurove and Spiegel (1995). Applying the Hotelling model to international trade and using the geographical interpretation of the Hotelling line, the authors propose a model where countries differ not only in population size but also in terms of their geographical extent. However, under certain assumptions on the locations of the firms, a pure strategy Nash equilibrium does not exist. In this paper, an alternative way to circumvent this existence problem and to make the analysis possible is presented. The pure strategy Nash equilibrium is restored by changing the assumption on the pricing policies used by the firms. The analysis indicates that while the small country gains from free trade the overall welfare of the larger country is unaffected by the opening of the border. The analysis is also extended to include a discussion of the long run equilibrium locations of firms in the integrated market. The importance of both the population and the geographical size of the countries are shown to be determining in establishing the effect of free trade

Economic growth and exchange rate uncertainty

Recent research carried out within the framework of endogenous growth theory has confirmed the positive impact of the openness of an economy on its economic growth. This paper extends that line of investigation further and analyses the effect of exchange rate uncertainty (ERU) on growth. First, it is shown theoretically how ERU can adversely affect the endogenous growth process. Exchange rate uncertainty is then quantified for 21 OECD countries. Finally, panel regressions which use the above measures of ERU together with other determinants are carried out to explain the growth rates of the above group of countries. Results show that exchange rate uncertainty has a negative impact on long-term growth.

Market size(s) and price competition in international trade

Doctorat en sciences économiques (ECON 3)--UCL, 200

Assessing the impact of unilateral trade policies EBA and AGOA on African beneficiaries' exports using matching econometrics

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