Effects of mergers on processed milk market in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-500
Author(s):  
Patrick Chege Nderitu ◽  
Simon Wagura Ndiritu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of the mergers and acquisitions on market prices, consumer welfare and aggregate profit of the merging firms and those of the non-merging firms and, therefore, answer the question on the overall effect of mergers and acquisitions on different performance measures on milk market using data from all the 34 licensed and active milk processors in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach A new model of analysis as developed from the Canadian Competition Policy maker, i.e. The Canadian Competition Policy merger simulation model, was used. Findings The study found that mergers and acquisitions lead to increase in market shares of the merging firms. The study also found that mergers and acquisitions have a significant effect on product price in the processed milk market. From the findings, the study concludes that mergers and acquisition not only lead to an increase in market shares of both merging and non-merging processed milk firms but also create market dominance due to reduction in the number of market players in the industry. Research limitations/implications The study uses the data for the licensed and active milk processors in the industry. The dormant and the non-licensed processors are excluded. Future studies can use the farm-gate prices as opposed to final consumer prices for the processed milk market. Originality/value The study contributes toward providing information on the effect of buyouts on social welfares, prices, market share, profitability and other relevant market equilibrium performance measures in the processed milk market in Kenya.

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-536
Author(s):  
Exequiel Romero-Gómez ◽  
Gustavo Ferro

Purpose This study aims to verify how the product-relevant market for wines should be defined. To do so, the authors apply an empirical methodology to determine the levels of substitution among wine-categories, identifying each relevant market in Argentina. Design/methodology/approach The authors perform an econometric analysis applying the nested logit methodology that will enable us to estimate cross elasticities in wine segments in the Argentine market. The database contains 1,367 brands and a maximum of 395 firms offering products of different segments. If cross elasticities between wine segments are positive and significantly different to zero, the products belong to the same relevant market. In the methodological section, the authors discuss the pros and cons of this approach and its alternatives, while in the empirical analysis, they perform several robustness controls. Findings The proposed method and results provide an alternative to exogenously defining where each product category begins and ends. The results show that the relevant market for wines should be segmented by categories as the substitution between each one is very low. Research limitations/implications In this empirical work, the study analyzes whether each segment constitutes a relevant, independent market. In Argentina, the practice of competition policy does not recognize substitution between different categories of wine; thus, each category constitutes a relevant market by itself, while according to the international practice, the relevant market includes all wine categories. The results suggest exploring the existence of different relevant markets of wine. Practical implications Under the label “wine,” different types or qualities can act as substitutes among them in different possible relevant markets. A more precise definition of relevant markets permits informed decisions facing proposed mergers or anticompetitive practices. Social implications This study provides a mechanism to determine the levels of substitution among wine categories (i.e. to find the boundaries of each relevant market). Wine is a differentiated product and, as such, offers different qualities (categories) for consumers. The consideration of those differences in winery mergers has consequences on social welfare. Originality/value According to the international practice in competition policy, the relevant market includes all wine categories. This study provides an alternative to defining exogenously where each category of product begins and ends and does not assume a priori the direction or intensity of substitution among products.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0003603X2199702
Author(s):  
P. L. Beena

This article seeks to analyze the trends and patterns of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) during the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights regime and addresses the antitrust issues related to innovation and competition in the framework of competition policy. Empirical evidence supports the view that enhancing size in terms of corporate control of equity, product market share, and innovation market share could be the motivations for the M&A phenomenon in the sector such as software and pharmaceuticals. These sectors were able to extract relatively more profit margin as compared to the manufacturing sector. This article further observes anticompetitive practices in terms of pricing and abuse of dominance in these two industries. The study argues for introducing regulatory mechanisms in the competition policy which could address the antitrust implications of M&As that are engaged in by knowledge-based firms and start-ups. This is because such acquisitions can reduce the incentives to innovate or change the innovative and competitive dynamics in the relevant market.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
Kalpana Tyagi

Purpose This paper aims to underscore how the digitization of content and the convergence in the telecommunications sector has prompted a wave of consolidation between telecom and content players. Design/methodology/approach Using interdisciplinary insights from competition policy and business strategy, the paper draws attention to the interplay between business model innovation and merger control in the converged telecoms sector. Findings Technological innovation and business model innovation led to the emergence of over-the-top (OTT) services. This innovation in turn led to two key effects, first, successful commercialization of content and the emergence of the “smart pipes” that in turn has led to the second effect, which is increased mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the converged telecommunications sector. Emergence of OTT with big data as a key advantage challenged the strategy and business models of the more established players, such as the AT&T, Time Warner, Liberty Global and Fox, which in turn led to the current trend of M&As in the sector. Originality/value This paper makes the following key contributions to the literature on M&As between the fixed/mobile and content players. First, it elucidates how the existing market players can benefit from competition policy, such as merger remedies to enter new and related markets. Second, it advocates that the US and the European competition authorities while assessing these M&As, take due account of innovation in business models, as business model innovation not only promotes innovation in the market but also enhances consumer welfare, considering that it offers the merged firm economies of scale and scope to offer better-quality goods and services at subsidized prices.


Author(s):  
Vasylyna Kolosha

The article examines an impact of digitalization on modern competition policy. Author proves that a necessity to modify traditional instruments of competition policy is caused by such special features of economic rivalry at the digital markets as significant return on scale, network effects and growing importance of data. Author argues that competition authorities face challenges caused by digitalization at the almost all stages of determining of firm’s dominant position, especially in the case of determining of relevant market, its participants and estimation of their market share. Special issues of the activity of digital platforms as a key competition subjects at modern markets are analyzed. Author proves that in the most cases it is appropriate to consider each side of the platform as a separate market when the relevant market is determined. Determination of a single market of intermediation services is justified only if the single price is set for all platform clients and if there is the same degree of substitution of the services for each consumer group. The article shows that it is necessary to consider positive cross-group effect when SSNІP-test is used for economic analysis of digital platforms activity. The problems of evaluation of business platforms market share are exposed. Author argues that usage of revenues as a basis for market share calculation is not appropriate if platform sets zero-price. In this case market share should be calculated based on the number of user or intensity of usage. It is proven that the main criterion of competition policy efficiency – consumer welfare – should include not only the price but also such parameters as privacy, consumer choice, protection of personal data, switching costs. A necessity of modification of Ukrainian competition policy in response to challenges of digital era is proven.


Author(s):  
Matthew T. Panhans ◽  
Reinhard Schumacher

Abstract This paper investigates the views on competition theory and policy of the American institutional economists during the first half of the 20th century. These perspectives contrasted with those of contemporary neoclassical and later mainstream economic approaches. We identify three distinct dimensions to an institutionalist perspective on competition. First, institutionalist approaches focused on describing industry details, so as to bring theory into closer contact with reality. Second, institutionalists emphasized that while competition was sometimes beneficial, it could also be disruptive. Third, institutionalists had a broad view of the objectives of competition policy that extended beyond effects on consumer welfare. Consequently, institutionalists advocated for a wide range of policies to enhance competition, including industrial self-regulation, broad stakeholder representation within corporations, and direct governmental regulations. Their experimental attitude implied that policy would always be evolving, and antitrust enforcement might be only one stage in the development toward a regime of industrial regulation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 2130-2147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio C. Machado ◽  
Renato Telles ◽  
Paulo Sampaio ◽  
Maciel M. Queiroz ◽  
Ana Cristina Fernandes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for performance measurement (PM) for the integration of supply chain management (SCM) and quality management (QM). Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review on SCM and QM was conducted to develop key performance measures related to six areas of integration between QM and SCM: leadership; continuous improvement and innovation; sustainability performance; stakeholders; information system; and management and strategic planning. Findings Supported by the literature concerning to supply chain quality management (SCQM) integration, a set of nine propositions about performance measures, that contribute to the integration of SCQM, were developed. Originality/value This study contributes to QM practices within a supply chain environment from an integrated perspective. Additionally, the propositions have significant implications from both managerial and theoretical perspectives. This study also extends the concept of supply chain quality integration by focusing on key aspects of PM that may help to improve the overall performance of the supply chain.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir K Srivastava ◽  
Atanu Chaudhuri ◽  
Rajiv K. Srivastava

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to carry out structural analysis of potential supply chain risks and performance measures in fresh food retail by applying interpretive structural modeling (ISM). Design/methodology/approach – Inputs were taken from industry experts in identifying and understanding interdependencies among food retail supply chain risks on different levels (sourcing and logistics outside the retail stores; storage and customer interface at the stores). Interdependencies among risks and their impact on performance measures are structured into a hierarchy in order to derive subsystems of interdependent elements to derive useful insights for theory and practice. Findings – Using the ISM approach the risks and performance measures were clustered according to their driving power and dependence power. Change in/inadequate government regulations’ are at the bottom level of the hierarchy implying highest driving power and require higher attention and focussed mitigation strategies. Risks like lack of traceability, transport delays/breakdowns and temperature abuse, cross-contamination in transport and storage have medium driver and dependence powers. Research limitations/implications – The approach is focussed on food retail supply chains in the Indian context and thereby limits the ability to generalize the findings. The academics and experts were selected on convenience and availability. Practical implications – It gives managers a better understanding of the risks and performance measures that have most influence on others (driving performance measures) and those measures which are most influenced by others (dependent performance measures) in fresh food retail and also a tool to prioritize them. This kind of information is strategic for managers who can use it to identify which performance measures they should concentrate on managing the trade-offs between measures. The findings and the applicability for practical use have been validated by both experts and practicing managers in food retail supply chains. Originality/value – The work is perhaps the first to link supply chain risks with performance and explains the propagation of risks in food retail supply chains. It contributes to theory by addressing a few research gaps and provides relevant managerial insights for practitioners.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Adel Elzahaby

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose an analytical model that investigates both a direct path between corporate governance quality and earnings quality and an indirect path, in which firms' performance is a mediating variable that is influenced by corporate governance quality and that, in turn, influences earnings quality.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a structural equation modelling (SEM), to a sample of Egyptian listed firms during 2011–2017, to test the proposed analytical model and to determine the relative importance of both the direct and indirect paths.FindingsThe findings show a statistically significant evidence of both a direct path from corporate governance quality to earnings quality, and an indirect path that is mediated by firms' performance, suggesting that both corporate governance quality and performance have a complementary effect on earnings quality. However, the weight of the evidence favouring the direct path is more important in case of accounting-based performance measures; and the weight of the evidence favouring the indirect path is more important in case of market-based performance measures.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study has some limitations. First, the study focuses specifically on one proxy for measuring earnings quality which is the absolute value of discretionary accruals. Other proxies of earnings quality could be examined in future research, such as income smoothing, earnings persistence and timely loss recognition. Another limitation is that only financial performance measures were examined, namely, return on assets, return on equity, price-to-earnings ratio and market-to-book value. Notwithstanding, non-financial performance measures could be investigated in future studies, such as balanced scorecard (BSC). Furthermore, considering cultural, political and legislative differences among countries, the results may not be generalised outside the scope of the current sample (i.e. Egyptian listed firms).Practical implicationsThe implications of the findings for both theory and practice are discussed.Originality/valueThis study is distinguished by validating an analytical model that has been overlooked by prior studies. Moreover, it provides a new constructed index for measuring corporate governance quality. Furthermore, it uses a new sophisticated statistical technique, which is SEM, for testing the proposed model.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Baird ◽  
Sophia Xia Su ◽  
Nuraddeen Nuhu

PurposeThis study examines the mediating role of the fairness of performance appraisal on the association between the extent of use of strategic performance measurement systems (SPMSs) with SPMS effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using an online survey distributed to 656 Australian middle and lower level managers.FindingsThe findings reveal that informational fairness mediates the association between SPMSs (link to value drivers and the use of multidimensional performance measures) with performance-related outcomes; procedural fairness mediates the association between SPMSs (link to strategy and the use of multidimensional performance measures) with staff-related outcomes and distributive fairness mediates the association between the use of SPMSs (all three types) with both performance and staff-related outcomes.Originality/valueThe study provides a unique insight into the importance of fairness (the distributive, informational and procedural fairness of the performance appraisal system) in mediating the associations between the extent of use of SPMSs and SPMS effectiveness. The findings contribute to the human resource management (HRM) “black box” literature by providing an insight into the behavioural mechanism through which a specific human resource management practice (i.e. the SPMS) influences organisational performance.


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