Competition

Wholesale petrol prices were deregulated in August 1998. This paper will quantify the effect associated with the deregulation of wholesale petrol prices on relative retail prices for unleaded petrol in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. This is done through Box–Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average methodology coupled with Box and Tiao intervention analysis. Weekly price data will be used for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. It finds that from the beginning of 1999, deregulation coincided with relatively lower retail petrol prices for all three cities. In the absence of any other possible alternative explanation for the simultaneous fall in relative retail petrol prices across all three cities, it is concluded that this change was most likely associated with deregulation. These results suggest that regulation of wholesale petrol prices were ineffectual in terms of constraining capital city retail petrol prices at the very least and may have actually contributed towards relatively higher retail petrol prices. This also suggests that future policy interventions designed to constrain prices in the downstream petroleum industry should be very carefully considered.

The concept of the gentleman amateur was, and remains, an important aspect of upper and middle-class Victorian and Edwardian male identity. Although he remains a significant literary presence, the form and length of time the gentleman amateur remained a cultural influence in society is contested.                                                     

This article examines one realm of this social constructs influence - sport - in terms of the social and philosophical origins of these titles, what they meant in practice and the repercussions their use had on class cultures, British (English) sporting values and success. It proposes that the gentleman amateur - despite the long-term damage inflicted by such men - remains a major philosophical, ideological and physical influence upon British sport today.

To live in a healthy, comfortable and safe environment is a right for all human beings, yet the sustainability of this habitat requires proper utilization of natural resources. There are many concepts in architecture that take into account this basic assumption including; nearly zero energy, solar, green, sustainable, integrated, intelligent and zero carbon. In addition, there are many national and international directives and initiatives that promote and require constructions with a lower impact on the environment; however this is not the only issue in architectural design. Some of the other essential topics in architecture are structural soundness, affordability, aesthetics, ease of construction, the ability to deal with natural disasters etc. Therefore the design and construction of a building requires a team of professionals and customers to work together. This paper investigates the state of the art architectural technologies in net zero energy houses of the future by looking at the built examples from the Decathlon 2015 Competition, which are designed to be net zero energy as well as dealing with all the aforementioned topics. The methodology involves determination of architectural characteristics, other energy efficiency solutions and comparison studies between houses. The architectural characteristics, building elements, passive strategies, active strategies, solar energy, and other strategies are detailed for six competition houses that took the highest points in the " Energy Balance " category by measured results. Furthermore, state of the art technologies, which were integrated into the buildings, are also discussed in light of the measured energy efficiency of the houses. In conclusion, the common characteristics and individual technologies of the successful and not so successful net zero houses are given so that they can help light the way to more energy efficient constructions.

The ultimate objective of the present paper is to empirically investigate the effectiveness of competition policy in developed and developing countries. Although its importance is continuously increasing, the effectiveness of competition policy still seems to lack the attention that it would deserve. At the present state of art, the number of academic contributions that attempts to estimate its impact on relevant economic variables appears very limited, in particular for the less developed countries. However, an empirical literature aimed at measuring in objective terms the effect of competition policy on economic growth is emerging, starting from narrow variables of interest, such as Gross Domestic Product and Total Factor Productivity. As a result, the principal aim of the current work is to contribute to this branch of research, focusing on broader indicators of market performance, in order to understand whether the presence of an antitrust authority has a significant impact, thus an effective utility, on the level of competition of a country. | Samà, Danilo (2013), The effectiveness of competition policy: an econometric assessment in developed and developing countries, Law & Economics LAB, LUISS “Guido Carli” University, Rome, Italy, pp. 1-50.

Within the context of global climate changes, it is expected that low-lying coastal freshwater ecosystems will face seawater intrusion with concomitant increase in salinity levels. Increased salinity may provoke disruption of competitive relationships among freshwater species. However, species may be capable of acclimating to salinity, which, in turn, may influence the resilience of ecosystems. Accordingly, this work aimed at assessing the effects of multigenerational exposure to low levels of salinity in the competitive outcome of two species of green microalgae: Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris. To attain this, three specific objectives were delineated: (1) compare the toxicity of natural seawater (SW) and NaCl (as a surrogate of SW) to the two microalgae, (2) determine the capacity of the two microalgae species to acclimate to low salinity levels, and (3) assess the influence of exposure to low salinity levels in the competitive outcome of the two microalgae. Results revealed SW to be slightly less toxic than NaCl for the two microalgae. The EC 25,72 h for growth rate was 4.63 and 10.3 mS cm −1 for R. subcapitata and 6.94 and 15.4 mS cm −1 for C. vulgaris, respectively for NaCl and SW. Both algae were capable of acclimating to low levels of salinity, but C. vulgaris seemed to acclimate faster than R. subcapitata. When exposed in competition, under control conditions, the growth rates of C. vulgaris were lower than those of R. subcapitata. However, C. vulgaris was capable of acquiring competitive advantage equaling or surpassing the growth rate of R. subcapitata with the addition of NaCl or SW, respectively. The multigenerational exposure to low levels of salinity influenced the competitive outcome of the two algae both under control and salinity exposure. These results suggest that long-term exposure to low salinity stress can cause shifts in structure of algae communities and, therefore , should not be neglected since algae are at the basis of food web constituting important energetic resources to higher trophic levels.

Men generally have an inherent performance advantage over women due to their average greater height and muscle mass and power, as the result of correspondingly different exposures to androgens. Therefore, it is considered fair that in sports men and women compete in separate categories. The question now emerging is whether reassigned transsexuals can compete in fairness with others of their new sex. The pertinent question is how far the previous effects of testosterone in male-to-female transsexuals (M-F) are reversible upon androgen deprivation so that M-F have no advantage over women, and, vice versa, what the effects are of androgen exposure in female-to-male transsexuals (F-M) on variables relevant to competition in sports. Before puberty, boys and girls do not differ in height, muscle and bone mass. Recent information shows convincingly that actual levels of circulating testosterone determine largely muscle mass and strength, though with considerable interindividual diversity. ...

As defense acquisition costs have soared over the past decade, efforts at reforming the acquisition system have focused intensely on creating more opportunities for competition as a means to reduce costs and incentivize better contractor performance. While competition can, in some cases, reduce costs and improve contractor performance, it is not a cure-all for the problems that plague defense acquisitions. This paper presents a quantitative approach, using game theory to model the effects of competition on contractor pricing. It demonstrates that the way in which a competition is structured can be a determining factor in whether competitive pressure is sufficient to balance the additional development costs of multiple contractors and higher unit costs from splitting the award. Specifically, the way contractors are incentivized to bid (or not bid) depends on the number of rounds of competition, the number of units awarded in each round, and the split in award between the winner and l...

The aim of this paper is to describe product market competition in the Belgian economy for the period 1997 ]2004 and to illustrate some causality with market regulation. The analysis is held at the industry level, for selected manufacturing and services industries. Emphasis is given to the profit elasticity (PE) measurement of competition (the gBoone h indicator) and the average profitability (AP) indicator (an approximation of the mark ]up indicator). We applied the OECD Regimpact indicator as a proxy for regulation. We present some stylized facts, for Belgium in comparison with selected EU countries; and through an econometric exercise we illustrate the potential of regulation as an explanatory variable for competition.

The development of new media industries, stimulated by the technology of digitalisation, has thrown up an important literature on mechanisms for regulation and control. In this article we elaborate on and develop Lawrence Lessig'smodalities of regulation'analysis. As we reconceive them the four basic control forms are premised upon hierarchy, competition, community and design and can be deployed in fifteen pure and hybrid forms. This analysis is enriched through elaborating on the essential elements of control systems (standard- ...

In this article we discuss the salient features of the classical and neoclassical theories of competition and we test their fundamental propositions using data from Greek manufacturing industries. The cross section data of 3-digit (total 91) industries of the three (pooled together) census years show no evidence of a direct statistical relationship between the degree of concentration and profitability. The

Food web structure is shaped by interactions within and across trophic levels. As such, understanding how the presence and absence of predators, prey, and competitors affect species foraging patterns is important for predicting the consequences of changes in species abundances, distributions, and behaviors. Here, we used plasma d 13 C and d 15 N values from juvenile blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and juvenile sicklefin lemon sharks (Negaprion acutidens) to investigate how species co-occurrence affects their trophic interactions in littoral waters of Moorea, French Polynesia. Co-occurrence led to isotopic niche partitioning among sharks within nurseries, with significant increases in d 15 N values among sicklefin lemon sharks, and significant decreases in d 15 N among blacktip reef sharks. Niche segregation likely promotes coexistence of these two predators during early years of growth and development, but data do not suggest coexistence affects life history traits, such as body size, body condition, and ontogenetic niche shifts. Plasticity in trophic niches among juvenile blacktip reef sharks and sicklefin lemon sharks also suggests these predators are able to account for changes in community structure, resource availability, and intra-guild competition, and may fill similar functional roles in the absence of the other species, which is important as environmental change and human impacts persist in coral reef ecosystems.

Un total de 40 placettes echantillonnees dans la cedraie de Ain Kahla (foret de Sidi Mguild au Moyen Atlas marocain) a permis d'etudier le phenomene du deperissement du cedre en fonction de certaines caracteristiques du peuplement. L'analyse a l'echelle du peuplement et surtout celle au niveau de l'arbre, met en evidence la preponderance de la surdensite dans l'explication du deperissement observe. Une competition accrue entre arbres, aggravee par des attaques parasitaires, semble alterer la sante du cedre. L'utilisation de l'Analyse factorielle des correspondances et de la Classification hierarchique a permis de lier l'etat de sante du cedre aux variables : densite, structure et composition du peuplement. Les resultats indiquent que les peuplements deperissants sont caracterises par une forte densite, une structure equienne et une rarete du chene vert. L'etude montre qu'il est urgent de reduire la densite dans la foret de Ain Kahla, par des e...

Clankom 101. Ugovora o funkcioniranju Europske unije zabranjuju se svi sporazumi i druga koluzivna djelovanja među poduzetnicima koji ogranicavaju tržisno natjecanje i utjecu na trgovinu između država clanica. Za primjenu zabrane nužno je ispuniti određene uvjete. Jedan od njih pretpostavlja kako mora postojati „sporazum“ između poduzetnika. Pod pojmom „sporazuma“ podrazumijevaju se sporazumi, odluke udruženja i bilo koji oblik usklađenog ponasanja poduzetnika. U Ugovoru ne postoji definicija „sporazuma“ te ono svoje znacenje dobiva kroz sudsku praksu. Buduci da je iznimno tesko razlikovati situacije u kojima poduzetnici inteligentno odgovaraju na reakcije svojih konkurenata od onih situacija u kojima svjesno djeluju sa znanjem o ponasanju drugog, važno je utvrditi neke zajednicke karakteristike u tumacenju pojma „sporazuma“. Zbog toga se u radu promatraju i analiziraju najvažnije odluke Komisije i presude sudova Europske unije te pokusava pronaci zajednicke parametre u njihovim pro...

Today there is a significant competition among the global cities. Each global city tries to preclude its competitors by way of making strategic movements. Global cities are compared in global indices that are regularly published and organized by worldwide known foundations, and on international scale, each city is ordered in accordance with a certain ranking. Directors of global cities greatly consider these orderings; primary aims and practices should be determined in accordance with the goal of being at the top in these indices. Istanbul, which is one of the famous global cities having long-standing background, has got involved in this competition as well. This study aims to evaluate the performance of Istanbul through the indices of global cities and to appoint the positive and negative aspects of it. In the research, the measurement criteria of the most 10 popular indices of global cities including Istanbul has been examined in detail with regards to using data set and results. The study suggest that Istanbul is quite competitive city and draws away its competitors in the matters of global accessibility, growth rate, commercial activity and vitality, attracting foreign investment, real estate investment, attracting the control centres of industrial firms and servicers. It has been established that Istanbul has covered a distance in topics of research sufficiency, information and communication technology, research and development, and hosting the head offices of global firms, but the city needs to make more improvements in these matters. In addition, the way of being in a better position of global cities indices for Istanbul depends on important improvement and structural reforms to be executed in the matters of environment, energy consumption, producing green energy-saving building, environmental management, green action planning and public participation. Findings are guide to the decision makers in the matters that should be taken further consideration in the process of management and planning, and in what way cities should make improvement in order not to fall behind the competition.

На 1907–1908 годы пришелся альманашный бум, расцвет «альманашного» периода в русской литературе начала XX века. В журнальных и газетных рецензиях (З.Н. Гиппиус, Д.В. Философов, А.М. Редько, Е.И. Редько, А.В. Тыркова-Вильямс, Е.А. Колтоновская и др.) осмыслялась конкуренция альманаха с «толстым» журналом, обозначались сменяющие друг друга периоды их популярности. В ходе борьбы за расположение читателей альманах и журнал постоянно трансформировались как по материалам, так и по авторскому составу. Если в 1907–1908 годах по отношению к литературным сборникам звучали обвинения в исключительности коммерческого подхода и эксплуатации громких «имен» известных писателей, то к 1911 году были сформулированы характерные типологические особенности наиболее значимых альманахов того
времени («Знание», «Шиповник», «Земля»). В отзывах критиков особое внимание уделялось анализу причин возникшего с начала Первой мировой войны и обострившегося к 1917 году кризиса альманаха как типа издания.
In 1907–1908 there was an almanac boom, the flourishing ‘almanacish’ period in Russian literature of the 20th century reached its height. Journal and newspaper reviewers (Z.N. Gippius, D.V. Filosofov, A.M. Red’ko, E.I. Red’ko, A.V. Tyrkova-Williams, E.A. Koltonovskaya, etc.) reflected upon the competition between almanacs and thick journals, identified successive periods of their popularity. During the struggling for readers’ attention almanacs and journals were constantly transforming both in materials and authors selection. In 1907–1908 literary digests were accused of pure commercial approach and exploitation of famous writers’ big names, however by 1911 characteristic typological features of the most prominent almanacs of the time (Znanie, Shipovnik, Zemlya) were highlighted. In their reviews the critics paid special attention to the causes of the almanac as a publication type crisis that started at the beginning of World War I and aggravated by 1917.

When nonnative species become established within new communities, competition may play a role in determining the persistence of ecologically similar native species. In western North America, many native cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii ) populations have been replaced by nonnative rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Superior competitive ability of rainbow trout and cutthroat–rainbow trout hybrids is often cited for this replacement; however, few studies have tested for mechanisms that might allow introduced rainbow trout to out-compete native trout species. Our previous work found individual-based differences in swimming and foraging ability among cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and their hybrids. In this study, we tested for the presence and strength of competition between cohorts of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and their reciprocal hybrids. We assayed the growth rate of juvenile cutthroat trout in allopatry versus cutthroat trout when sympatric with rainbow trout and e...

Competition is a constitutive feature of capitalist societies. Social conflicts over the introduction, abolition and regulation of market organization are saturated with implicit moral arguments concerning the desirability of competition. Yet, unlike private property, exchange relations and social inequalities, economic competition has rarely been the explicit core of moral debates over capitalism. Drawing on a broad variety of social science literature, this article reconstructs, maps and systematizes ethical arguments about economic competition in capitalist societies. We discuss six contradictory rival views of economic competition and illustrate their influence by providing historical examples of the respective views in action in political-economic debates. This article serves as a mapping groundwork for reviving the systematic ethical debate on economic competition. In addition, our map of rival views lends itself to use as a structuring tool in empirical research on the moral economy and ideational embeddedness of capitalist societies, markets and firms.