Modelling European Mergers Theory, Competition Policy and Case Studies

Author: Peter van Bergeijk; Erik Kloosterhuis
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 9781845423186
Published In: October 2007
Format: Hardback , 232 pages
Jurisdiction: Europe ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Contents
Author

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‘This book is a must-read for those representing potential merger parties or involved in the regulation of Australian mergers. The book is a collection of well-organised and thoughtful papers by very qualified authors.’
– Deirdre L. Hay, Competition and Consumer Law Journal

‘. . . the book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of an important recent development in merger control in Europe. . . Anyone interested in merger simulation, as a practitioner or as an academic, will therefore profit from studying this volume thoroughly.’
– Arndt Christiansen, European Competition Law Review

‘[This book] is important because it reports on the discussion among competition policy experts about the strengths and weaknesses of economic methods that have been and will be increasingly used in merger cases. It shows the potential of the decentralized European structure at its best. European competition authorities learn from each other's experiences and discuss their approach with colleagues and academic experts from other jurisdictions. In addition the transparency offered by this book allows firms, consultants, economists and legal experts to assess the pros and cons of the empirical economic approach to merger analysis.’
– From the preface by Neelie Kroes (European Competition Commissioner)

Modelling European Mergers presents a comprehensive and fresh perspective on the economic analysis of mergers by leading academics and competition policymakers from Europe and the US. The book frankly discusses the pros and cons of using applied game theory models in merger control from historical and theoretical perspectives. Seven case studies on the actual use of advanced techniques and models in legal procedures provide a perspective from the national competition authorities in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands and Sweden on markets that range from basic goods such as bread and aperitifs to complex products such as electricity, literature and software. The case studies provide many insights into practical issues such as data collection, procedures and errors of predication, as well as in the relative merits of different econometric approaches. A recurring theme of the book is how economic insights can be translated into convincing legal decisions.

The contributions cover a broad spectrum of markets, methods and countries and the contributors offer incisive reflection on the increasing use of economics in competition policy.

This unique book is a thorough transatlantic discussion of academic and policy insights combined with applications based on actual decisions. It will appeal to legal and economic professionals who deal with and advise on mergers and acquisitions whether they be in a ministry, central bank or competition authority setting. Scholars and students interested in analysing markets, law and economics, industrial organization and applied econometrics will also find much to interest them in this work.

Preface by Neelie Kroes
1. How to Merge with Law and Economics?
Part I: European Policy Perspectives
2. Economic Analysis and Competition Policy Enforcement in Europe
3. European Merger Control: A Case of Second Mover Advantage?
Part II: Strengths and Weaknesses of Simulation Models
4. Merger Simulation: Potentials and Pitfalls
5. On the Use of Economic Modelling in Merger Control
6. Merger Simulation Analysis: An Academic Perspective
7. Mergers and the New Guidelines: Lessons from Hachette–Editis
Part III: European Case Studies
8. Simulating Merger Price Effects Using PCAIDS with Nests: The Italian Aperitif Market
9. Simulating the Effect of Oracle’s Takeover of PeopleSoft
10. Modelling the Electricity Market: Nuon–Reliant
11. Modelling Danish Mergers: Approach and Case Studies
12. On Simulation and Reality: A Swedish Example
13. What Merger Simulation is Not: Hessenatie–Noord Natie in Retrospect
References
Index

Edited by Peter A.G. van Bergeijk, Professor of International Economics/Macroeconomics, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, The Hague and CERES Research School for Resource Studies for Development, Utrecht University, The Netherlands and Erik Kloosterhuis, NMa Netherlands Competition Authority, The Hague, The Netherlands