Competition Policy and Resource Utilization

This book examines the extent to which competition law and policy could be employed to promote the efficient allocation of resources in resource-dependent developing economies. Its background inquiry into competition policy and the analysis of economic problems of resource-dependent developing economies inspired by global competition trends in the United States and Europe provide an indispensable framework for understanding competition policy and current attitudes to regulation in a liberalised developing economy. The book provides a systematic exposition of some of the problems associated with resource-dependent economies and the implications for competition and what kinds of conduct in which firms can and cannot engage. In addition to building on basic competition and antitrust concepts, it offers insights into some prevailing problems, which include the issue of ‘resource curse’, rent-seeking, corruption, and abusive business practices, among others. Their examination here is aligned with scrutiny of the characteristics of developing countries in contrast to developed countries; Nigeria is taken as a proxy for resource-dependent developing countries. The book also determines whether competition law and policy could be used as a tool for addressing competition problems that may exist in resource-dependent developing countries. This book provides meaningful material for both undergraduate and graduate business school programs. In addition, it will be of great interest to lawyers, historians, economists, sociologists, and policy makers in both government and business who wish to understand competition issues in a clear and rigorous way in developing economies.