Blog and updates
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13 Aug 2021
Diversifying Jamaica’s economy in the post-pandemic world
I enjoyed reading this piece in the Oxford Business Review on barriers to growth and development in the Jamaican economy.
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12 Aug 2021
Contestable Markets - China tech giant Xiaomi aims at global smartphone top spot
It is interesting that Xiaomi are being so ambitious in targeting top spot in the global smartphone market.
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11 Aug 2021
The Geography of Innovation - How disruptive technologies diffuse
This new paper from Bloom et al from Stanford provides an overview of how original pioneer locations of disruptive technologies such as AI and broadband retain their initial advantages over many...
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10 Aug 2021
Contestable markets - JetBlue to launch NY-UK flights despite pandemic
Can JetBlue succeed where other challengers to the oligopolistic power of BA, Virgin and other leading carriers have failed?
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9 Aug 2021
Economic systems - Cuba allows small and medium-sized private businesses
Is this the beginning of the end for the command economy in Cuba?
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9 Aug 2021
Understanding Prices - Why Hasselblad Cameras Are So Expensive
Another excellent Business Insider look at a luxury good - this time the Hasselblad camera.
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4 Aug 2021
Development Barriers - How to Attract Private Finance to Africa’s Development
Around 95% of infrastructure spending in sub-Saharan Africa is funded by national governments rather than the private sector.
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3 Aug 2021
Why market structure matters for development
i really like this research article from VoxDev on global differences in cement prices as it brings Theme 3 micro and Theme 4 macro together.
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3 Aug 2021
Pigouvian Taxes - Beyond Meat boss backs tax on meat consumption
Who would have thought that the CEO of a company producing plant-based meat alternatives would be in favour of a tax on meat consumption.
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2 Aug 2021
Labour Markets - Where have all the workers gone?
Here is a really interesting article about the impact of coronavirus on the labour market, and the nature of the recovery.
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2 Aug 2021
Scarcity and resource use - finding answers to the world's drinking water crisis
This article features basic economics: scarcity and resource use. Factor in a little bit of technology and what's not to like.
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29 Jul 2021
Anti-competitive behaviour - CMA fines pharma firm over pricing of crucial thyroid drug
The Competition and Markets Authority has the pharmaceutical sector firmly in their sights judging by news that they have levied a fine of £100 million on the owners and manufacturers of thyroid...
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28 Jul 2021
State ownership - Sheffield Forgemasters is nationalised
Sheffield Forgemasters, a leading supplier of steel to the UK Ministry of Defence is to be taken into state ownership.
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28 Jul 2021
Labour markets - Tesco offers lorry drivers £1,000 signing-on fee due to shortage
Every little helps! Tesco's £1,000 signing on bonus for HGV drivers is a natural market response to the chronic shortage of drivers that threatens to impede recovery from the pandemic.
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27 Jul 2021
Theory of the Firm - Moonpig profits double as Covid pushes spending online
Here is a great example of a business whose revenues and profits have benefitted from the shift to online spending during the pandemic.
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23 Jul 2021
Theory of the Firm - Unilever expects flat profit after being hit by rising costs
Here is a good example of how higher input costs are cutting the profit margins of one of the world's largest consumer goods firms.
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22 Jul 2021
Education economics - should government intervene to mandate lower tuition fees for local students?
Record numbers of students have applied for university places this according to data published by UCAS, the university admissions administrator.
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21 Jul 2021
Regional economics - Seaside poor health overlooked
Economic and social deprivation suffered by many in UK coastal towns is highlighted in a report from England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.
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21 Jul 2021
Supply and demand in action - surging demand for tents brings supply shortage
Some good context here on changing demand factors in the market for outdoor camping equipment.
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20 Jul 2021
The "pingdemic", self-isolation and short run aggregate supply
As the 3rd wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeps through the UK, the need for close contacts to self-isolate is becoming a significant economic issue.
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