Merger Efficiencies and Competition Policy
| Title: | Merger Efficiencies and Competition Policy |
| Author: | Scherer, Frederic Michael |
| Citation: | Scherer, F.M. 2012. Merger Efficiencies and Competition Policy. HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP12-048, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. |
| Full Text & Related Files: |
RWP12-048_Scherer.pdf (1.772Mb; PDF) 
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| Abstract: | Since the United States changed its guidelines in 1984, many industrialized nations have included efficiencies defenses in their rules for judging whether mergers and other activities that might lessen competition are on balance desirable. This paper was written for an OECD competition policy conference in Paris October 25, 2012. It presents the standard Williamson “tradeoff” analysis and explores why consumer price benefits might be required in the current economic environment, with its substantial unemployment and Keynesian liquidity traps that limit the reinvestment of efficiency-based profits in additional output. It also explores the difficulty of assessing efficiency benefits in advance of mergers and suggests alternative approaches to the problem. |
| Published Version: | http://web.hks.harvard.edu/publications/workingpapers/citation.aspx?PubId=8640 |
| Terms of Use: | This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAA |
| Citable link to this page: | http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9830356 |
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