Liberalization Measures in India’s Coffee Sector: Analytical Implications for Market Structure and Consumer Welfare Analyses in Developing Countries

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-281
Author(s):  
M. R. Narayana
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Market Structure ◽  
Consumer Welfare ◽  
Coffee Sector

Ensuring Competition in the Telecommunication Business Environment in Ghana

2014 ◽  
pp. 73-87
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Armah
Keyword(s):  
Market Structure ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Consumer Welfare ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Telecommunication Sector ◽  
Price Collusion ◽  
The Impact

This chapter investigates the possibility of anti-competitive behavior in the Ghana telecommunication sector and determines exploratorily if there is a need for the enactment of anti-trust laws to protect social welfare. The chapter first evaluates the available relevant literature on the subject, assesses the current situation, evaluates the current market structure, and identifies how market power is affecting consumer welfare. Reviews of available literature and secondary data were conducted to establish the relevant conditions for the applicability of such a law. Next, primary data was collected from stakeholders to solicit views on the impact of market structure on pricing and the need for anti-trust laws. Results suggest the Ghana telecommunication sector is open to “cartelization,” which can result in different forms of price collusion despite the existence of a state regulatory body (The National Communications Authority, NCA). The study highlights the Ghanaian consumers' susceptibility to unfair marketing practices due to the possible absence of pertinent anti-trust legislation.

scholarly journals The New Wave of Currency Devaluations in Africa – Will the Devalued Birr Help the Coffee Exports?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4.) ◽  
pp. 101-118
Author(s):  
Szabolcs Pasztor
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Current Account Deficit ◽  
Balance Of Payments ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Coffee Sector ◽  
The Impact

Despite the fact that currency devaluations are likely to have a negative effect on the economy in the long run, Ethiopia devalued its national currency, the birr (ETB), by 15 percent in 2017. They turned to this option in the hope of attracting more investments from abroad, decreasing import bills, improving the current account deficit and giving a boost to the exports of the coffee sector. A couple of months later, the impact seems to be promising because the export has been revived in some areas. However, it has to be stressed that the imported commodities may experience a price increase, there can be a widening balance of payments deficit and rising inflation. The paper aims to shed more light on the short- and long-term impacts of currency devaluations in the developing countries with a special emphasis on Ethiopia. Also, the recent Ethiopian measure is to be analyzed in greater detail highlighting the impacts on export earnings, import bills, the balance of payments, and on the overall competitiveness of the coffee sector.

Relational contracts and value chain governance: exporter approaches to overcoming transaction costs in Rwanda's coffee sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Gerard ◽  
Maria Claudia Lopez ◽  
John Kerr ◽  
Alfred R. Bizoza
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relational Contracts ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relational Contracting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coffee Sector

Purpose In developing countries, local buyers often rely on relational contracting based on reciprocity and trust. This paper analyzes relational contracting and global value chain (GVC) governance by focusing on how domestic and foreign coffee exporters in Rwanda confront challenges.Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 representatives of Rwandan private, Rwandan cooperative-owned and foreign exporters, and four coffee sector stakeholders.Findings Foreign firms export most Rwandan coffee, and local exporters express concerns about their ability to compete. Rwandan exporters face challenges accessing capital, competing with foreign firms and managing high transaction costs. They use relational contracts to reduce transaction costs, and they benefit from a monopsony zoning regulation that reduces competition. Foreign exporters face regulatory challenges: a government-set coffee price and the zoning regulation. They vertically integrate to reduce costs and lock in suppliers through prefinancing.Research limitations/implications Future research should analyze differences between local and foreign exporters in other contexts to advance understanding of the different challenges faced and contracting approaches used.Originality/value Few GVC governance studies address the role of relational contracts in contexts where enforcement is costly. Considering relational contracts within GVCs can improve value chain analysis, specifically in the developing countries where many GVCs start.

Market structure, efficiency and profitability of insurance companies in Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Latif Alhassan ◽  
George Kojo Addisson ◽  
Michael E. Asamoah
Keyword(s):  
Market Structure ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Consumer Welfare ◽  
Insurance Market ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Insurance Markets ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the regulatory-driven market structure on firm pricing behaviour by testing the structure-conduct-performance (S-C-P) hypothesis for both life and non-life insurance markets in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Using a panel data on 14 life and 22 non-life insurers from 2007 to 2011, the authors employed the Herfindahl Hirschman Index and concentration ratio as proxies for the S-C-P hypothesis while efficiency scores were estimated using the data envelopment analysis technique to proxy for the efficient structure (ES) hypothesis. The dependent variable, profitability was measured as return on assets while controlling for size, underwriting risk, leverage, GDP growth rate and inflation. The models were estimated using the panel corrected standard errors of Beck and Katz (1995) and random effects estimations. Findings – The results from the empirical estimation provide ample evidence in support for ES hypothesis for both life and non-life insurance markets. While conflicting results was found for SCP hypothesis in the non-life insurance market, it was rejected in the life insurance market. The findings also point to an increasing level of competition in both life and non-life insurance industry in Ghana though they still remain concentrated with the life insurance sector having high levels of efficiency compared to the non-life sector. Practical implications – The findings of the study will enhance the understanding of firm behaviour in the new markets created to shape regulatory and competition policies of the regulator to promote consumer welfare while ensuring a stable industry to enhance its role in economic development. Originality/value – This is the first study to test the market power and efficient hypotheses on the insurance industry in Ghana. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to examine the determinants of profitability in the non-life insurance market.

11 Merger Control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Thomas K
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Consumer Welfare ◽  
Merger Control ◽  
Horizontal Mergers ◽  
Ex Ante ◽  
Resource Intensity ◽  
Judicial Remedies ◽  
Controversial Nature

This chapter discusses how developing countries should approach merger review. One of the first issues that needs to be addressed is whether developing country authorities should devote resources to merger review at all. It has been argued that merger review is time-consuming and resource-intensive and should be left to more sophisticated and well-funded authorities. The time and resource intensity of merger review comes down to institutional design. It is thus concluded that an ex ante regime is preferable. A developing country authority can choose between mandatory and voluntary notifications and adjust its notification thresholds to strike a balance between maintaining sufficient scrutiny over problematic mergers and conserving enforcement resources. The chapter then considers various options available to developing country authorities. However, a number of other issues remain. The first is what is the appropriate welfare standard. It is argued that despite the highly controversial nature of the issue, the consumer welfare standard should be preferred. The second is how developing country authorities should analyze different types of merger: horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate. The answer to this question depends on the authority’s enforcement capacity. Merger control Horizontal mergers Vertical effects Vertical agreements Conglomerate effects Judicial remedies

1 Basic Premise and Classification of Developing Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Thomas K
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Competition Law ◽  
Consumer Welfare ◽  
Development Economic ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Basic Premise ◽  
Competition Law Enforcement ◽  
Political Economic

This chapter argues that there is no one universal approach to competition law and that the design and enforcement of competition law needs to take into account the political, economic, and social circumstances of the country. Given the overwhelming obstacles to attaining economic growth and development, economic policies in a developing country must be tailored to maximize the prospect of growth and development. This means that competition law enforcement should aim to promote growth and meet development needs, even if this may lead to conflict with other objectives of competition law such as the protection of consumer welfare and the pursuit of economic efficiency. Moreover, the various classifications of developing countries suggest that there is significant diversity among them. Indeed, there are likely to be significant differences in terms of market conditions among developing countries. Thus, it is unlikely that there is a single approach to competition law enforcement suitable for all of them.

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