Bearing the cost of politics: Consumer prices and welfare in Russia

in Journal of International Economics (2022), 137

In August 2014, the Russian Federation implemented an embargo on select food and agricultural imports from Western countries in response to previously imposed economic sanctions. In this paper we quantify ... [more ▼]

In August 2014, the Russian Federation implemented an embargo on select food and agricultural imports from Western countries in response to previously imposed economic sanctions. In this paper we quantify the effect of this embargo on consumer prices and welfare in Russia. We provide evidence for the direct effect on monthly consumer prices with a difference-in-differences approach. The embargo caused prices of embargoed goods to rise by up to 7.7% – 14.9% in the short run and by on average 2.6% – 8.1% until at least 2016. The results further suggest the shock was transmitted to non-embargoed sectors through domestic input-output linkages. We then construct a general equilibrium Ricardian model of trade with input-output linkages and goods that are tradable, non-tradable or embargoed. The model-based counterfactual analysis predicts the overall price index in Russia to have increased by 0.33% and welfare to have declined by 1.84% due to the embargo. [less ▲]

Eco-efficiency outcomes of mergers and acquisitions in the European electricity industry

in Energy Policy (2017), 107

The European electricity industry was recently liberalized. In response, there was a surge of mergers and acquisitions (M&As). This study addresses the effects of M&As on the eco-efficiency of European ... [more ▼]

The European electricity industry was recently liberalized. In response, there was a surge of mergers and acquisitions (M&As). This study addresses the effects of M&As on the eco-efficiency of European electricity producers in 2005–2013. The environmental production technology comprises CO2 emissions as an undesirable output. I compute eco-efficiency using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index, which are both based on radial directional distance function. I observe a decreasing trend in average eco-efficiency, which contradicts the previously documented moderate efficiency gains of liberalization. The effects of M&As are isolated using second-step fractional regression. The domestic horizontal M&As, which are systematically regulated by the European Commission, have no impact. Although one cross-border horizontal deal has a same-year effect of roughly −3%, this effect becomes approximately +1.5% over a two-year timespan. Vertical domestic M&As have a short-run negative impact of 3.6% that does not persist over time. Vertical international M&As reduce the eco-efficiency by 2.1% two years after their completion. Limited evidence suggests that the conglomerate deals are at least not harmful. The policy implication is that the merger regulation should be based on DEA eco-efficiency measures. Regulators should devote more attention to cross-border M&As and particularly to vertical deals. [less ▲]