...The Role and Measurement of Quality in Competition Analysis 2013 The OECD Competition Committee discussed the role and measurement of quality in competition analysis in June 2013. This document contains an executive summary of that debate and the documents from the meeting: an analytical note by the OECD staff and written submissions: Australia, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United States and BIAC. A note by Theodore Voorhees Jr. as well as a detailed summary of the discussion are also included. Competition policy is just as concerned with quality as it is with prices. While the importance of quality is undisputed and issues about quality are mentioned pervasively in competition agency guidelines and court decisions, there is no widely-agreed framework for analysing it which often renders its treatment superficial. There are a number of reasons why in practice, courts and competition authorities rarely analyse quality effects as rigorously as they analyse price effects. First, quality is a subjective concept and therefore much harder to define and measure than prices. In addition, microeconomic theory offers little help in predicting how changes in the level of competition in a market will affect quality and it is usually up to empirical analysis to determine how quality will change in response to varying degrees of competition in the context of particular markets. Given difficulties in terms of the evaluation...
Words: 125933 - Pages: 504
...Detailed Job Description Job title: (insert job title) Reporting to: (insert supervisor’s title) Salary: (insert salary per hour, per annum or total package including base salary, superannuation, commissions or benefits) Hours: (insert average number of hours per week or type of employment such as casual, full-time) Location: (insert the location of the position and any travel required) Purpose of the position (Insert a short paragraph which describes the overall purpose of this position and how it contributes to the goals or function of the business. Include the authority level, for example, “manager” or “support staff”) Responsibilities & duties Responsibility 1 – (insert responsibility or duty of the position including frequency or duration of work, effort and skill required, complexity of tasks and equipment required) Work standard: (insert what aspect of the responsibility will be reviewed to determine if the job is being done correctly, for example, time frame, or number of completed tasks per week) Responsibility 2 – for example, “to manage the daily operations of the office including organising mail, couriers, catering and travel. Staff need to be able to use MS EXCEL confidently, to arrange global travel and to work on their own.” Work standard – for example, “at the end of each working week, all catering events for the following week must be finalised.” Responsibility 3 – (insert additional items as needed) Work standard – (insert additional items as...
Words: 409 - Pages: 2
...Level of Development and Level of Detail came into play with the advancement of computers and BIM technology. As the AEC industry began move towards using computer renditions for design and analysis, it became necessary to define the certainty with which drawings could be trusted. The detailing of elements changes throughout the duration of a project, so it is important for the team to be able to recognize what level of detail is provided and how trustworthy it is. For this reason, different levels of development were created to allow for a standardized system of analyzing drawings and details. Level of Development vs. Level of Detail The level of Development (LOD) enables construction teams to specify and distinguish the content and reliability of Building Information Models at various stages of the design and construction process with high levels of clarity and reliability. The LOD describes the minimum dimensional, spatial, quantitative, and qualitative data included in a Model Element to support the authorized uses associated with such LOD. Since each Model Element develops at a different rate, the Level of Development (LOD) framework allows the project team to understand the progression of a Model Element from conceptual idea to precise final definition and description. The LOD of a given Model Element informs other Project Participants how developed the information is expected to be. This allows participants to extent to decipher which that information can be relied...
Words: 648 - Pages: 3
...VOCABULABY New words | Part of speech | Definition | Making sentences | Intervention | n | The act of becoming involved in an argument, fight, or other difficult situation in order to change what happens | The intervention of Union helps to prevent the conflict between Pakistan and Iran | Dubious | adj | Feeling doubt or not feeling certain | I'm dubious about his promises to change his ways. | Inextricably | adv | If two or more things are inextricably linked etc, they are very closely related and affect each other | His name was inextricably linked with the environmental movement. | Assiduous | adj | Showing hard work, care and attention to detail | The Government has been assiduous in the fight against inflation. | Augment | v | To increase the size or value of something by adding something to it | He would have to find work to augment his income. | Inferior | adj | Not good, or not as good as someone or something else | These products are inferior to those we bought last year. | Relegate | v | To put something into a lower or less important rank or position | She resigned when she was relegated to a desk job. | Debilitate | v | To make someone or something physically weak | Progress has been debilitated by a refusal to share ideas. | Prescribe | v | To say what medical treatment someone should have | The drug is often prescribed for ulcers. | Taint | v | To spoil something, especially food or blood, by adding a harmful substance, or...
Words: 266 - Pages: 2
...that you follow your supervisors direction at all times. The only exception to this would be if you were directed to perform a task that was unethical, illegal, or unsafe. In the future if you fail to follow any company policy you will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including possible termination. Sincerely, Robert R. Smith Supervisor John E. Adams Employee My signature does not necessarily indicate that I am in agreement with the above statements; however, it does indicate that I was informed of the contents of this letter. Sample Employee Conduct Policy Every individual is expected to execute their assigned duties as directed during on duty time. Insuring quality in everything we do requires attention to detail and working quickly or carelessly has a negative impact on every aspect of our business. It is also critical to our success that every individual will respect and cooperate with other staff members, customers, and supervisors when performing their assigned duties. In the event there is ever a conflict it is the responsibility of everyone to bring that to the attention of their supervisor for resolution and will not engage with any...
Words: 476 - Pages: 2
...has evolved over the last few decades. Our examples focus on the US experience, which we know best. But we are confident that the broad considerations we discuss apply to any competition policy regime. The first body of economic knowledge we discuss involves methods of distinguishing among alternative explanations for market outcomes or firm conduct. This is termed the problem of ‘‘identification’’ in empirical economics.We show how courts can apply what economists have learned about identification to the problems of defining markets and determining whether market power has been exercised. We show that the same analytic issues arise regardless of whether the evidence on these concepts is quantitative or qualitative. The second relevant body of economic knowledge derives from the empirical economics research literature, taken as a whole. That literature demonstrates that di¤erences among industries are important, making the industry the appropriate unit of analysis for addressing economic issues related to competition policy. A similar conclusion was reached long ago in antitrust law, when market definition became central to reasonableness analysis. But, as we explain, the research literature goes further in a way that has not yet been fully appreciated in antitrust: it suggests generalizations across closely related industries that can be exploited to help evaluate evidence and resolve cases. We conclude by considering ways of increasing the institutional capacity...
Words: 326 - Pages: 2
...Proposed Merger Between Staples and Office Depot Leads to Concerns of Higher Prices Michael Baye and Patrick Scholten prepared this case to serve as the basis for classroom discussion rather than to represent economic or legal fact. The case is a condensed and slightly modified version of the public copy of the FTC's motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the proposed merger between Staples and Office Depot dated April 10, 1997. No 1:97CV00701. OFFICE SUPPLY SUPERSTORE MARKET Staples and Office Depot pioneered the office superstore concept within months of each other in 1986. Over the next ten years, they and a number of other firms seized on the same strategy of providing a convenient, reliable and economical source of office supplies for small businesses and individuals with home offices. These firms competed aggressively, developing office superstores as a one-step destination, carrying a full line of consumable office supply items as well as assorted other products. Staples and Office Depot have been immensely successful: today, Staples has almost 500 stores and Office Depot has more than 500 stores nationwide; they compete head-to-head in 42 metropolitan areas across the country. On September 4, 1996, Staples and Office Depot entered into an agreement whereby Staples would acquire the stock and assets of Office Depot for $4 billion. The merged company would have combined annual sales that exceed $10 billion. Absent the merger, both...
Words: 7162 - Pages: 29
...Institutions - Courts, FTC, DOJ, Congress. Information - Asymmetric (FTC has done a lot of research and know quiet a lot to support the antitrust case but Staples and Office depot will know more about the relevant product market, Pricing etc.), Incomplete (e.g. Whether it was possible to pass through the improvements in efficiencies to the consumers and if yes how much), Contested (Whether the definition of the relevant product market was right, etc.). Nonmarket issue lifecycle analysis - The issue was in the legislative stage. FTC had contested the merger of Staples and Office Depot on the basis of antitrust concerns and now the courts have issued a preliminary injunction. But instead of continuing with the trial the companies have decided to terminate the merger. Hence it can be said that issue is in the enforcement stage of the issue life cycle. Brief answers to the end of case questions - 1) What was the key finding by the court that effectively decided the case for a preliminary injunction? While making a decision the court required the FTC to show that its challenge was likely to succeed and in balancing the equities it was of greater harm to let the transaction proceed than to reverse it later. The key finding by the court was the definition of the relevant product market as “office supply superstores”. FTC supported its claims by using the pricing differences in one firm market as compared to two and three firms market and also by demonstrating that the price...
Words: 1538 - Pages: 7
...To what extent is the book ‘Amusing Ourselves To Death’ by Neil Postman relevant today? Be specific. Give details and examples. As William James rightly said, “Man can alter his life by altering his thinking” (James). Our lives are shaped by the way we think which, in turn, is highly influenced by the things we do. Hence, I would attribute most of my shy and quirky behavior to my involvement in technology from a very young age. Though the various mediums of communication persist, the dominant medium changes with generations and this medium influence our ways of thinking. As a result, it changes our habits, our perceptions and our lifestyle as a whole. The arguments made by Postman in his book in 1985, ‘Amusing Ourselves To Death’, are mostly persuasive. However, taking into account the advancement in technology and the cultural differences since, there has been a tremendous change in the culture that some aspects may not apply today. In the nineteenth century, around 12,000 people watched a seven-hour debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas (Neely). “These were people who regarded such events as essential to their social lives, and who were quite accustomed to extended oratorical performances” (Postman 44). It is impossible to imagine anybody in the modern world doing anything for seven hours. The attention spans of humans have drastically descended since. Although, in the most modest sense, I am a gaming addict, I believe I lack the patience to game for that...
Words: 1290 - Pages: 6
...EEA(PR) Version 04/2015 Application for a document certifying permanent residence or permanent residence card under the EEA Regulations This form is to be used for applications made on or after 6 April 2015 Who this form is for Use this application form if you wish to apply for a document certifying permanent residence (if you’re an EEA national) or permanent residence card (if you’re a non-EEA national) as confirmation of a right of permanent residence under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (‘the EEA Regulations’). Any reference on this form to EEA nationals includes Swiss nationals. Eligibility You must normally have lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years as: • n EEA national ‘qualified person’ (worker, self-employed, self-sufficient, student or a jobseeker), • family member or extended family member* of an EEA national qualified person or a permanent resident, • former family member of an EEA national if you’ve retained your right of residence after a the EEA national died or left the UK, or your/their marriage or civil partnership ended in divorce, annulment or dissolution, or • family member of a British citizen who worked or was self-employed in another EEA state a before returning to the UK (‘Surinder Singh’ cases). You can also qualify if you are: • n EEA national former worker or self-employed person who has ceased activity in the UK a because you have retired, are permanently incapacitated...
Words: 27874 - Pages: 112
...made in 2006, make clear that electronically stored information is discoverable, and they detail what, how and when electronic data must be produced. As a result, companies must know what data they are storing and where it is; they need policies in place to manage electronic data; they need to follow these policies; and they need to be able to prove compliance with these policies, in order to avoid unfavorable rulings resulting from failing to produce data that is relevant to a case.” (Staff) To Read/Download Complete Assignment Hit Purchase Button CIS 550 Case Study 7 Stratified Custom Manufacturing, Part 7D https://hwguiders.com/downloads/cis-550-case-study-7-stratified-custom-manufacturing-part-7d/ SCM appeared to be in direct violation of “Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) What it covers: In place since 1938, the FRCP discovery rules govern court procedures for civil lawsuits. The first major revisions, made in 2006, make clear that electronically stored information is discoverable, and they detail what, how and when electronic data must be produced. As a result, companies must know what data they are storing and where it is; they need policies in place to manage electronic data; they need to follow these policies; and they need to be able to prove compliance with these policies, in order to avoid unfavorable rulings resulting from failing to produce data that is relevant to a case.” (Staff) To Read/Download Complete Assignment Hit Purchase Button CIS...
Words: 4832 - Pages: 20
...Information Systems Description Assignment Business Information Systems 100 School of Information Systems Curtin University 23/7/12 • v4.0 Student and Workshop Details | | | |Information |Enter Your Details | |Student Name: |Thet Khant Oo | |Student Number: |16187025 | | | | |Assessment Item: |IS Description Assignment | |Institution / Location: |Curtin Singapore/Singapore | | | | |Workshop Leader Name: ...
Words: 1767 - Pages: 8
...However, it has been in the need for a competent accountant who could provide them a more reliable and relevant financial reporting particularly the company’s cost accounting system and other methods. In order to meet its profit objectives and other ends, a specific cost accounting system is necessary for its budgets, and other management and accounting reports needed. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS | |Strengths |Weaknesses | | |Cost items, its balances and details including |Product costs are not identified separately | | |production, sales and cash flow data are |from period costs. | | |already given. |Likewise, variable costs are not identified | | | |separately from fixed costs. | |Opportunities | | | |Profit objective of the Armstrong Helmet |Given all accounting details of the company, |Some details will not be relevant anymore in | |Company will help determine the appropriate |the costing system will easily be determined...
Words: 487 - Pages: 2
...form to admcom@herts.ac.uk Alternatively you can post them or visit our office in person to Team B (Admissions), Mercer Building, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB. Please view our Campus Map for directions. Opening times are Mon-Thurs 9.30am till 4pm and Fri 9.30am till 3pm. Please note: You will need to provide the originals at registration. Any discrepancies found will result in the University changing their decision. A) Details about you Family name Course applied for Start date of course Date of birth Nationality (Citizenship): (If you have citizenship of two or more countries please list them both/all) Immigration status (please tick one, and give dates as requested) British Citizen or Commonwealth national with Right of Abode Indefinite Leave to Enter/Remain Please provide, if possible Copy of relevant page(s) of passport (including page(s) confirming name and nationality) Copy of relevant page(s) of passport (including page(s) confirming name and nationality) and/or Home Office letter Home Office letter (and any relevant enclosures) or refugee travel document UCAS/Applicant number Country of birth Other names Refugee status OR you are a child or spouse/civil partner of someone granted refugee status Refused refugee status but granted one of the following • Exceptional Leave to Enter/Remain • Humanitarian Protection • Discretionary Leave OR you are a child or spouse/civil partner of someone refused refugee status but granted one of the above Time limit...
Words: 795 - Pages: 4
...three statistics to show the current state of our labor market. Aside from this, you will supplement your quantitative analysis with qualitative information or data from minimum wage workers at SM. Your comprehensive investigation should justify your conclusion about the country’s economic condition. Depending on your conclusion, you will provide possible ways to sustain the current economic condition or solve the problem that our economy is facing. In doing so, you might want to focus on the labor market. You will be assessed on your ability to identify and explain relevant quantitative data related to the issue, and your use of narratives (qualitative) to justify quantitative analysis. You will also be assessed based on the effectivity and feasibility of recommended solutions to the issue. Criteria Qualitative Labor Market Analysis 30% Exceptional A+ More than three (3) highly relevant...
Words: 705 - Pages: 3