Description
Book SynopsisNetwork industries such as electricity, gas, rail, local public transport, telecommunications and postal services are recognised by the EU as crucial for fostering European social and territorial cohesion. Providing an overview of key policy reforms in these industries and an empirical evaluation, this thought-provoking book offers a critical perspective on the functioning of the networks that provide vital services to EU citizens.
Key features include:
- analysis of policy reforms and their effects on the welfare of citizens as users
- an innovative focus on the neglected topic of the role of state-owned or state-invested enterprises
- assessment of changes in policy framework reform from the consumer's point of view
- a comparative country analysis
- evaluation of cross-cutting issues related to reform including privatisation, unbundling, performance and impact.
The Reform of Network Industries will appeal to academic researchers in the fields of industrial economics, policy and regulation and the economics of European integration, as well as students of business and law. Policymakers, regulators and public administrators will also find this book a stimulating read.
Contributors include: P. Bance, R. Cardinale, P. Castelnovo, A. Chassy, S. Clo, A. Cosic, L. Diestelmeier, J. Doleschel, S. Drufuca, G. Esposito, M. Florio, S. Grönblom, R. Hirsch, T. Holvad, T. Kaloud, M. Lampropoulou, A. Maxim, A. Negrelli, T.A. Nguyen, N. Rosetto, A. Roukouni, R.P. Sanchez, S. Thomas, J. Urban-Kozlowska, J. Willner
Trade Review'It is high time a cross-country, multi-sector analysis of the effects of privatization, regulation and liberalization across the EU was performed, with not just costs, efficiency and performance in mind, but also, welfare, affordability, quality and other impacts on citizens. Finally, all these questions have been brought together in this excellent volume edited by Massimo Florio.' --Judith Clifton, University of Cantabria, Spain
'A book on the reform of network industries is long overdue. This edited volume makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the chain reaction of consequences following such reforms. Massimo Florio continues his impressive work in applied and public economics and has assembled a first class team of authors to research this timely topic. The volume offers an enlightening perspective at the proper level of analysis. The suggested framework allows for a careful and nuanced interpretation of the various cases presented.'
--Luc Bernier, University of Ottawa, Canada
Table of ContentsContents: Preface PART I: Cross-Cutting Policy Issues 1. The empirical evaluation of regulatory policy reforms in network industries: some methodological issues Massimo Florio 2. Public and private enterprises, costs and welfare performance: an overview with suggestions for further research Johan Willner and Sonja Grönblom 3. Market reforms, governance and performance: lessons learned from the experience in the EU energy industries Steve Thomas and Stefano Clò 4. Market structure and state involvement: passenger railways in Europe Torben Holvad 5. Ownership and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from the European Telecommunications Industry (2006-14) Paolo Castelnovo 6. National public missions, diversity of operators and competition: Postal services in the European Union Philippe Bance PART II: Empirical Evaluations 7. Does Public Ownership provide affordable and reliable electricity to household customers? Case studies of electricity sector reforms in the UK, France, Germany and Italy Ajla Cosic, Lea Diestelmeier, Alexandru Maxim, Tue Anh Nguyen and Nicolò Rossetto 8. Telecommunications policies in Europe: past, present, future and impact on citizens Serena Marianna Drufuca, Regina Maria Hirsch, Manto Lampropoulou and Rogelio Pesqueira Sánchez 9. The changing nature of railways in Europe: empirical evidence on prices, investments and quality Giovanni Esposito, Julia Doleschel, Tobias Kaloud and Jadwiga Urban-Kozlowska 10. Local Public Transport Services: the efficiency of public enterprises competing with the private sector in the EU member States Annalisa Negrelli, Anastasia Roukouni and Angélique Chassy 11. The European gas sector: political-economy implications of the transition from state-owned to mixed-owned enterprises Roberto Cardinale Index
