This project should explore the intersection of competition policy and sustainable development, with a focus on balancing competition issues with sustainable development. This should be done with reference to particular antitrust cases (you may zone in on one, or more than one – as you see fit) which have been investigated where the analysis and conclusions or remedies in those cases illustrate the interplay between the economics of competition policy and issues pertaining to sustainable development.
You have autonomy over the area that you wish to address in the project. So your project may focus on a theme (or themes) of your choice – but it must link into and illustrate a knowledge and understanding of materials covered in lectures as they relate to the economics of competition policy, and your knowledge and understanding on sustainable development which you have acquired through your studies in the MSc programme. Moreover, it must do this with reference specific anti-trust case (or cases) that demonstrate the tensions or complementarities between competition policy and sustainable development.
Objectives:
ü Understand the principles of competition policy and of sustainable development.
ü Understand the effects of anti-competitive practices and/or mergers, specifically in relation to antitrust case (or cases) linked to issues of sustainable development.
ü Analyse the interplay between competition policy and sustainable development with reference to economic arguments underpinning the anti-trust case(s) analysis and conclusions.
ü Recommend policy on the basis of precedence and your knowledge of the economics underpinning antitrust legislation and sustainable development.
Examples of possible themes to explore in the context of this project:
(note: you do not have to choose from this list…..)
ü The role of competition policy in promoting innovation for sustainable development
ü frameworks that encourage sustainable practices while preventing anti-competitive behaviour
ü Effects of mergers or cartels on-price effects….. and non-price effects (e.g. innovation, quality and choice) and implications for sustainable development
ü Mergers – the potential issue of ‘Green-Killer’ acquisitions; the potential impact of mergers and acquisitions on sustainable development in certain industries;
ü Co-operative agreements – for promoting sustainability in an environment where there may be incentives to restrict competition on other dimensions; for restricting competition green innovations or product development
ü Mergers / anti-competitive practices – possible impacts of the entity’s supply chain practices (sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution) for sustainable development.
Useful Background
Ø Conference on Antitrust, Regulation and the Next World Order on the 31st January 2024.
Livestream: https://bruxconference2024.clevercast.com/webcast/w-qodbzp/
Panel Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@AntitrustRegulationandtheNextW/featured
Ø Symposium: Discussion Paper on Pro-competitive Policies for a Sustainable Economy (oecd.org)
Ø Competition and Consumer Protection Policies for Sustainability | UNCTAD
Ø Sustainability and Competition (oecd.org)
Ø https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-12/Competition%20Policy%20Brief%201-2021_Green%20Deal.pdf
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PROJECT
· This assignment accounts 45% of the final grade for this module.
· Word Max Count _ Max 2500 words (including in-text citations – but excluding any footnotes/tables/figures/bibliography). Assignments exceeding 10% of this word count will be penalised.
– Over by between 10% & 20% : grade awarded to be reduced by one grade point.
– Over by between 20% & 30%: grade awarded to be reduced by two grade points
– Over by between 30% & 40%:: grade awarded to be reduced by three grade points etc…..
· GRADING: Assignments will be awarded a letter grade.
– Assignment should be highly structured, focused, illustrate an extensive and detailed knowledge of the subject matter and an ability to apply this knowledge to the tasks at hand, demonstrate a pertinent economic analysis of issues with clear links to economic theory and frameworks as outlined in lecture materials, written clearly and fluently, well presented, with a clear point of view and analysis.
– Assignment should include an enlightened discussion of relevant material that is precise, skilfully ties the material together, apply economic analysis, recognise alternative perspectives, and address the task at hand.
· All assignments should be typed in min Size font 12 (and well spaced for ease of reading)
· DUE DATE: Submit by 5 pm Friday 10th May via Brightspace (or earlier if you wish!)
LATE SUBMISSION PENALTY
If you cannot meet the submission date, you should contact me.
For late submissions without extenuating circumstances or permissions:
Submission up to one week after due date: grade awarded reduced by one grade points .
Submission up to two weeks after due date: grade reduced by two grade points.
Submission more than two weeks after due date: CONTACT ME
· On the use of AI.
AI may be used to help you research for this project. It is important to note though, that ultimately you have to bring all parts of your research together and write an up-to-date project – drawing on various materials as discussed in ECON42680 lectures and on your knowledge acquired on sustainable development, in the context of relevant antitrust case(s), and supplemented by research/articles/data/statistics from cited credible sources.
· All submitted assignments are checked for plagiarism using plagiarism detection software
. Before beginning your assignment, click on this link here for clarity on what is meant by plagiarism, along with the School of Economics plagiarism policy: school_plag_pol21.pdf (ucd.ie)
. For some examples of plagiarism, see Plagiarism Examples – Academic Integrity – Referencing, Citation & Avoiding Plagiarism – LibGuides at UCD Library
. Click on the link here to work through a very short tutorial on what plagiarism is and how you can avoid it: http://www.ucd.ie/library/elearning/plagiarism/story.html
. See the slides on ‘Economics Writing – Citations’ for some useful information on referencing, and the below…..
Some pointers on presentation of citations:
· Any tables or figures used should all be captioned with source indicated.
· Any references: intext citation e.g. (Whelan 2021) with full references listed alphabetically at the end of the brief (e.g. Whelan, C., ‘Manufacturing and Internationally-Traded Services ’, Chapter 12 in O’Hagan, John, Francis O’Toole and Ciara Whelan (Eds): The Economy of Ireland (14th edition), Bloomsbury, September 2021)
· All references should be listed alphabetically in a bibliography at the end of the brief.
· Please use footnotes instead of endnotes, if required for necessary explanations and asides.
· Supporting material can be included in a separate technical annex, or by way of reference to a supporting research paper.
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