The Impact of Cartels on National Economy and Competitiveness, 2015 A Lithuanian Case Study

The book presents theoretical and empirical research on the integrated assessment of cartels? effects on national economies. The empirical analysis is based on three cases in Lithuania, a country chosen because it corresponds to the features of a small economy with a developing culture of competition. An integrated assessment of a cartel?s impact by measuring the net economic effect created by its operations on the market is extremely important at the scale of national economies. If a cartel?s true impact is not identified and evaluated, it is impossible to make important strategic decisions, for the whole economy instead of individual affected parties and to establish an optimum baseline for mitigating the harm done to the economy. Thus, an integrated cartel impact assessment can help to more proactively combat cartel agreements on the market and improve the economic welfare of the respective country.

Conception of Cartels: Definition and Diversity.- Cartel Occurrence and Operation in Market.- Cartel Markets.- Legal Regulation of Cartels.- Analysis of the Impact of Cartels on National Economy and Competitiveness.- Critical Analysis of Economic Efficiency of Fines Imposed on Cartels.- Methodological Principles of Assessing Cartel Harm (Effects).- Assessment of Cartel Impact on the National Economy: Integrated Model.- Empirical Application of a Model for an Integrated Assessment of Cartel Impact on the National Economy in the Case of Lithuania.- Recommendations to Minimise an Adverse Impact of Cartels on the National Economy.- Conclusions.- Annexes.