The emergence of online platforms has decreased transaction costs considerably, increased price transparency and hence enabled consumers to more easily compare and purchase products and services. At the same time, platforms may achieve market power leading to undesirable market outcomes. Is existing consumer protection law appropriate to address concerns arising on online platforms? Are...
The sharing economy relies on online platforms to bring together providers and consumers of goods and services. How do platforms compete in these two-sided markets characterized by direct and indirect network effects? Which pricing strategies do these new online platforms adopt? How does rapid innovation ubiquitous in these markets affect competition between platforms? How do new digital...
Gerd Billen, State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, received the BCCP Distinguished Policy Fellow Award. The fellowship was awarded by Gerhard Wagner, Professor of Law, Humboldt University Berlin.
Digital markets are characterized by consumer targeting and customization of products and services. Firms such as Amazon or Google use algorithms to increase their product quality, such as search results or the targeting of advertising. These algorithms rely on past consumer search and browsing behavior to learn and improve results in real-time. This session discusses the extent to which the use...
This year, 16 PhD graduates received their certificates. With a festive ceremony, the new PhDs were honored by DIW Berlin President Marcel Fratzscher and outgoing Graduate Center Dean Helmut Lütkepohl.
We wish each and every one much success with their future careers!
Claudia Kemfert, Leiterin der Abteilung Energie, Verkehr, Umwelt am Deutschen Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW Berlin), kommentiert das Urteil des Bundesverfassungsgerichts zum Atomausstiegsgesetz.
Die vollständige Stellungnahme hier...
In this lecture Professor Eichengreen traced the populist turn in American politics from the late 19th century to the present day, and identified instances and conditions under which mainstream politicians and parties succeeded - and failed - in stemming the populist tide.