Empirical research on competition, innovation and the consumer

Author

Derek Ireland

Organization

Office of Consumer Affairs

Published

2008

Summary

The object of the research behind the report was to locate hard data showing the impact consumers may or may not have on competition, innovation and competitiveness in the marketplace. In particular, the report reviews published research in the area of behavioural economics, which has been garnering the attention of policy-makers recently, highlighting many prominent studies. The report also looks at implications of the consumer role in the marketplace on public policy development, offering lessons for and limitations of applying the principles of behavioural economics to consumer policy and regulatory development.

The report results from two stages of work: a literature review followed by the development of 11 case studies and analysis of other existing research. What follows is an overview of the research, major findings and key lessons for policy development, and some observations on how these factors can be taken into account in future research and policy development.

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Source: Consumer Policy Research Database