Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/93533 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper Series in Economics No. 286
Publisher: 
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Lüneburg
Abstract: 
How can small and medium-sized German postal providers ensure nationwide geographical coverage without the aid of the former monopolist? A closer look at the industry revealed that postal providers in Germany engage in different types of cooperation in order to expand their geographical coverage independently from the market leader. In order to shed light on the effects of cooperation, I conducted a theoretical analysis using a spatial economic model complemented by a brief game-theoretical discussion. Moreover, I provide the first descriptive and case study evidence from unique data collected in 2010 and 2011, within the framework of a German postal market survey. I found that small postal providers cooperate with each other in order to extend their geographical service area and to succeed in the market. Furthermore, I also found - in both the theoretical analysis as well as in the evidence - that there is a negative counter-effect stemming from this cooperation.
Subjects: 
Cooperation
Competition
Germany
Network Industries
Postal Sector
JEL: 
D24
L22
L51
L97
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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