On John Kay’s Bookshelf – Archive page
Books that John has reviewed in the past...
Food for thought
Have you ever wondered why kangaroo burgers don't feature widely on British menus? The answer is that just as countries’ economies have developed differently, so have their national cuisines
Technology and wealth creation: where we are, where we’re going
The interrelationship of technology, economic advance, and social and political systems, has many ramifications. The last ten years, in economic terms, have constituted an American decade. But the way in which the American decade comes to an end is probably the most important issue for the world economy today.
Of gas and cell phones
The alleged success of the British mobile phone auctions in raising revenue for the government poses many questions about the desirability of licences and auctions in general. John's article examines the underlying logic of auctions and suggests that the current enthusiasm may be misguided
All hands to the pumps
Raising prices may seem an effective way to resolve a fuel shortage. But economists should learn to value solidarity.
Clusters, connectivity and Kevin Bacon
Building a monopoly on the back of network externalities is possible, but only by ignoring the complex reality of human relations.
Boundary business
Traditional boundaries around companies and industries are dissolving. But this does not mean that we live in a world without boundaries.
Broken but better: Monopoly companies should not resist being dismantled by government
As Microsoft faces being broken up, Bill Gates should take heart from the lesson of history: the biggest beneficiaries of anti-trust break-ups have often been the companies being "punished".
Buyers must master art of the particular
If stock-picking fails to beat the index, why should picking companies? It won’t, unless mergers carefully match the firms involved.
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.