Big media can never be truly creative media
Is it inevitable that media industries will be dominated by conglomerates? This is the industry where scale creates more problem than its advantages
Survival of the fittest not the fattest
The increased concentration of the car industry has been a commonly used, yet increasingly untrue example on the effects of globalisation. There is still an important lesson to learn though.
Merger lectures are best ignored
The biggest universities in the world are clearly not the best. So why do some British universities think that mergers will make them world class?
Rivalry keeps an industry vibrant
The proposed merger between Go and Easyjet has provoked minimal controversy. This belies the important questions it poses for the future of competition policy.
On John Kay’s Bookshelf – Archive page
Books that John has reviewed in the past...
The roots of pluralism
Dominant companies may confer marginal benefits to consumers that are difficult, if not impossible, to estimate. However, antitrust authorities will do little wrong if they stick to the underlying principles of competition policy.
Mechanics of the market
Efficient markets make money for market participants, but not for market makers. That is something the enthusiastic promoters of B2B exchanges have yet to understand.
Companies have it both ways
Whose interests are served by waves of mergers and demergers?
Steer clear of muddy waters
Pfizer, Warner-Lambert and American Home Products are flirting with each other - but does it really make sense to talk about a “market for pharmaceuticals”?
Alight here for a business platform
George Westinghouse was a titan of American industry. Like Bill Gates, he made a fortune by controlling a vital standard. He also lost a large one by overextending himself.