Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/184729 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
Ilmenau Economics Discussion Papers No. 117
Publisher: 
Technische Universität Ilmenau, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Ilmenau
Abstract: 
The ubiquitous process of digitization changes economic competition on markets in several ways and leads to the emergence of new business models. The increasing roles of digital platforms as well as data-driven markets represent two relevant examples. These developments challenge competition policy, which must consider the special economic characteristics of digital goods and markets. In Germany, national competition law was amended in 2017 in order to accommodate for digitization-driven changes in the economy and plans for further changes are already discussed. We review this institutional change from an economics perspective and argue that most of the reform's elements point into the right direction. However, some upcoming challenges may have been overlooked so far. Furthermore, we discuss whether European competition policy should follow the paragon of the German reform and amend its institutional framework accordingly. We find scope for reform particularly regarding data-driven markets, whereas platform economics appear to be already well-established.
Subjects: 
competition policy
antitrust
industrial economics
digitization
media economics
institutional economics
industrial organization
big data
algorithms
platform economics
two-sided markets
personalized data
privacy
internet economics
consumer protection
JEL: 
L40
K21
L86
L82
L81
L10
L15
D80
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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