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Merger Policy in Digital Markets: An Ex Post Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Argentesi, Elena
  • Buccirossi, Paolo
  • Calvano, Emilio
  • Duso, Tomaso
  • Marrazzo, Alessia
  • Nava, Salvatore
Abstract
This paper presents a broad retrospective evaluation of mergers and merger decisions in markets dominated by multisided digital platforms. First, we document almost 300 acquisitions carried out by three major tech companies—Amazon, Facebook, and Google—between 2008 and 2018. We cluster target companies on their area of economic activity providing suggestive evidence on the strategies behind these mergers. Second, we discuss the features of digital markets that create new challenges for competition policy. By using relevant case studies as illustrative examples, we discuss theories of harm that have been used or, alternatively, could have been formulated by authorities in these cases. Finally, we retrospectively examine two important merger cases, Facebook/Instagram and Google/Waze, providing a systematic assessment of the theories of harm considered by the UK competition authorities as well as evidence on the evolution of the market after the transactions were approved. We discuss whether the competition authority performed complete and careful analyses to foresee the competitive consequences of the investigated mergers and whether a more effective merger control regime can be achieved within the current legal framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Argentesi, Elena & Buccirossi, Paolo & Calvano, Emilio & Duso, Tomaso & Marrazzo, Alessia & Nava, Salvatore, 2021. "Merger Policy in Digital Markets: An Ex Post Assessment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 17(1), pages 95-140.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:266390
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    Cited by:

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    2. Guy Aridor & Rafael Jiménez-Durán & Ro'ee Levy & Lena Song, 2024. "The Economics of Social Media," CESifo Working Paper Series 10934, CESifo.
    3. Tomaso Duso & Lea Bernhardt & Joanna Piechucka, 2024. "The Evolution of Theories of Harm in EU Merger Control," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2090, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Zhijun Chen & Chongwoo Choe & Jiajia Cong & Noriaki Matsushima, 2022. "Data‐driven mergers and personalization," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 53(1), pages 3-31, March.
    5. Martin Peitz, 2023. "Governance and Regulation of Platforms," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2023_480, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    6. Gautier, Axel & Lamesch, Joe, 2021. "Mergers in the digital economy," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    7. Zhijun Chen & pch346 & Chongwoo Choe & Jiajia Cong & Noriaki Matsushima, 2020. "Data-Driven Mergers and Personalization," Monash Economics Working Papers 16-20, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    8. Jan Malek & Melissa Newham & Jo Seldeslachts & Reinhilde Veugelers, 2024. "Acquiring R&D projects: who, when, and what? Evidence from antidiabetic drug development," Working Papers of Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven 735739, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven.
    9. Raúl Bajo-Buenestado & Markus Kinateder & Raul Bajo-Buenestado, 2023. "Prices and Mergers in a General Model of Multi-Sided Markets," CESifo Working Paper Series 10818, CESifo.
    10. Bernhardt, Lea, 2020. "Common factors of withdrawn and prohibited mergers in the European Union," Working Paper 184/2020, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    11. Klaus E. Meyer & Jiatao Li & Keith D. Brouthers & Ruey-Jer ‘‘Bryan’’ Jean, 2023. "International business in the digital age: Global strategies in a world of national institutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(4), pages 577-598, June.
    12. Phansatarn, Thunwar & Srinuan, Chalita, 2024. "Analysis of Thailand's fixed broadband internet services demand: A merger screening of AIS and 3BB," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(2).
    13. Tomaso Duso & Lea Bernhardt & Joanna Piechucka, 2024. "The Evolution of Theories of Harm in EU Merger Control," CESifo Working Paper Series 11218, CESifo.
    14. Shekhar, Shiva, 2020. "Zero Pricing Platform Competition," MPRA Paper 99364, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Laureen de Barsy & Axel Gautier, 2024. "Big Tech Acquisitions and Innovation: An Empirical Assessment," CESifo Working Paper Series 11025, CESifo.

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    JEL classification:

    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies

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