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This paper studies regulatory policy interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable consumers who are disengaged and thus exposed to exploitation. We model heterogeneous consumer switching costs alongside asymmetric market shares. This setting encompasses many markets in which established rms are challenged by new entrants. We identify circumstances under which such interventions can be counterproductive, both with regard to the stated consumer protection objective and the complementary aim to promote competition.
Authors
Research Associate Birkbeck, University of London
Walter is a Research Associate at the IFS, a Reader in Economics at Birkbeck, University of London and holds a position in the Academic Panel at CMA.
Paolo Siciliani
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.ifs.2018.2318
- Publisher
- The IFS
Suggested citation
Beckert, W and Siciliani, P. (2018). Protecting vulnerable consumers in "switching markets". London: The IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/protecting-vulnerable-consumers-switching-markets (accessed: 29 April 2024).
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