News
A new publication written by Swiss Economics.
The research article «Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare» by Swiss Economics and researchers from the University of Zurich shows how service providers exempted from the obligation to pay a value-added tax are favoured in competition. Further, this unequal treatment substantially affects outsourcing decisions and the labour market.
Helmut Dietl, Christian Jaag, Markus Lang, Martin Lutzenberger and Urs Trinkner (2011). «Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare». In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 267-280.
Published in the same book: Maegli Martin, Christian Jaag, Martin Koller and Urs Trinkner (2011). «Postal Markets and Electronic Substitution: Implications for Regulatory Practices and Institutions in Europe». In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 109-122.
An article by Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner has been published in the Journal of Regulatory Economics.
The research article «The interaction between universal service costing and financing in the postal sector: a calibrated approach» by Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner has been published in the Journal of Regulatory Economics.
Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Yet another case of unintended consequences: VAT exemption and the public interest» at the DG MARKT economic seminar.
The presentation illustrates the distortive effects of VAT exemptions on competition in a newly liberalized industry and how they can be included in the calculation of the net cost of universal service obligations.
Swiss Economics presented the paper «An Economic Framework to Understand and Assess Regulations in Network Industries».
Swiss Economics presented the paper «An Economic Framework to Understand and Assess Regulations in Network Industries» at the 2010 Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries.
In addition to a theoretical framework, he also presented two applications: Liberalization in network industries and the development of regulation in the postal sector.
Swiss Economics welcomes Oliver Fürst as a new staff member!
Oliver Fürst holds a Master of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Zurich. At Swiss Economics he works as a consultant for strategy and regulation in network industries.
Swiss Economics contributed three new research papers to the Conference on Trends and Innovation for the Postal Market.
Post Office Network Realignments and their Impact on Innovation
To the presentation
Postal Regulation, Declining Mail Volumes, and the Transformation of Business Models?
To the presentation
Postal markets and electronic substitution: What is the impact of intermodal competition on regulatory practices and institutions? The paper has received the «best paper award».
To the document
Swiss Economics contributed with three presentations to the 18th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics.
- Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare
- Postal Markets and Electronic Substitution: What is the Impact of Convergence on Regulatory Practices and Institutions?
- Practical Approaches to USO Costing and Financing
At the «Second Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries» Christian Jaag has given a presentation on «Approaches to FTTH-Regulation: An International Comparison».
Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Approaches to FTTH-Regulation: An International Comparison» at the 2nd Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries.
A presentation by Urs Trinkner.
At the «IPC Senior Executive Forum on Regulation» Urs Trinkner has given a presentation on «Shaping the USO? An Outline of Thought from an Economic Perspective».
A presentation by Christian Jaag.
At the 42nd Freiburger Verkehrsseminar, Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Preisobergrenzen in liberalisierten Postmärkten» (in German).
Our latest Swiss Economics update elaborates on the opportunities virtual currencies present to the postal sector.
Virtual currencies like Bitcoin are progressively gaining in popularity. However, limited availability still preempts their broad usage. Postal operators with their spatially comprehensive physical presence could play a key role in providing easy, quick and nationwide access to these alternative currencies. The postal network thus constitutes a natural bridge between the virtual and the physical worlds.
Swiss Economics welcomes Dr. Christian Bach as a new staff member!
Christian Bach is a Project Manager with Swiss Economics and lectures at the EpiCenter, Maastricht University. He is an expert in game theory and works in network industries, regulation and on virtual currencies. After his studies of economics and philosophy, he received a Ph.D. in game theory from HEC Lausanne and Maastricht University. Christian Bach was a postdoctoral fellow at Maastricht University, and a visiting scholar at NYU Stern School of Business.
New publication on price regulation and the financing of Universal Service Obligations.
This article explores the complementary roles of price regulation and universal service regulation in network industries The analysis shows that current practices of costing and financing universal services may result in unintended market distortions. The article quantifies these effects and demonstrates how such distortions can be avoided.
Swiss Economics' update for May 2013.
E-commerce is an important growth area for postal operators. In its update, Swiss Economics analyzes and discusses the risks and opportunities associated with maintaining or even extending the regulation of e-commerce.
Three new publications on consumer preferences, termination charges, and social cost of regulation.
How to better measure consumer preferences in the postal market? How to set international parcel termination charges? What is the social cost of regulation in the postal sector? In the recently published book «Reforming the Postal Sector in the Face of Electronic Competition» by Prof. M. Crew and Prof. P. Kleindorfer, three papers by members of Swiss Economics have been included that address these questions.
Presentation at the 2nd European Postal Regulation Forum on the regulation of e-commerce.
Presentation at the 3rd IEEE Smart Grid World Forum on the regulation of smart grids.
Urs Trinkner was asked by the 3rd IEEE Smart Grid World Forum to address the regulation of smart grids in an introduction and a panel discussion.
A presentation by Sonia Strube Martins.
At the 5th Annual Competition and Regulation in Network Industries Conference in Brussels, Sonia Strube Martins presented a paper on Integrated timetables for railway passenger transport services.
A presentation by Christian Jaag.
At the 3rd Annual Trends in Innovation in the Postal Market Conference, Christian Jaag presented a new research paper on the interplay of universal service obligations and patents in network industries.
Swiss Economics contributed new research papers to the 20th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics.
Swiss Economics contributed the following new research papers to the 20th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics:
- Defining and Financing an Intermodal USO
- Competition and the Social Cost of Regulation in the Postal Sector
- Termination Charges in the International Parcel Market
- Measuring Consumer Preferences for Postal Services
All publications are available here.
Swiss Economics welcomes Dr. Sonia Strube Martins as a new staff member!
Swiss Economics' update for February 2012.
The convergence of physical letter mail and electronic substitutes challenges postal operators and the regulatory framework alike. In its update, Swiss Economics analyzes and discusses the economic context.
A presentation by Christian Jaag.
At the Post-Expo 2011, World Postal Business Forum Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «The role of the universal service obligation in postal competition».
The Review of Network Economics published a new article on the financing of universal service obligations.
The paper «What is an Unfair Burden? Compensating the Net Cost of Universal Service Provision» by Christian Jaag appeared in the Review of Network Economics. It discusses the net cost of universal service obligations and the potential burden they represent on the universal service provider. Specifically, it analyzes the situation in the postal sector after full liberalization.
The paper considers various interpretations of what an unfair burden might be and discusses the competitive impact of corresponding compensation scenarios by means of a stylized theoretical model with endogenous entry and coverage decisions.
Two new presentations on defending markets and adapting the USO in a future-oriented way.
«Defending Mail Markets against New Entrants»
To the slides
«Future of USO - Economic rationale for universal services and implications for a future-oriented definition of universal service obligations»
To the slides
Job opening: Swiss Economics is looking for a passionate and exceptional economist.
Swiss Economics is looking for a passionate and exceptional economist with the capability to apply the most recent microeconomic concepts and to find pragmatic and robust solutions to complex problems. You are aiming at earning a doctorate to deepen your knowledge in industrial and regulatory economics and looking for an exciting career start opportunity in economic consultancy.
We are looking forward to receiving your CV and cover letter.