Jöhr Lecture with Massimo Motta

12 May 2015. In the Walter Adolf Jöhr Lecture on "Competition, and its effects", Massimo Motta will analyse the current challenges of competition policy in Europe.

Abstract des Vortrags
"Most people accept that market competition is good because it decreases the prices. But some argue that competition may affect negatively investments and innovations. In particular, some pressure groups have recently been advocating for industry consolidation, claiming that less competition would give firms more profits, and that additional profits would in turn push firms to invest more. In this lecture, I will discuss the impact of competition upon investments and innovations, as well as productivity growth, by drawing on theory, empirical evidence and examples. I will then explain how the enforcement of antitrust, merger and state aid rules play a role in shaping the link between competition and growth."

Chefökonom der Generaldirektion für Wettbewerb

Prof. Massimo Motta was born in Milan in 1962 and studied Economics at Università Luigi Bocconi in Milan and at the Université Catholique de Louvain, as well as Quantitative Economics at the London School of Economics. After obtaining his Doctor’s degree in 1991, he worked as a researcher at the Université Catholique de Louvain and at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. In the last few years, he has occupied numerous important positions in various competition policy bodies. At present, Massimo Motta is a Research Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, as well as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) in London and the CESifo in Munich.

As Chief Economist of the Directorate-General for Competition, Prof. Massimo Motta is involved in the investigation of competition cases, particularly cases with complex economics issues, and he analyses the economic consequences of such decisions. In this way, he contributes towards the development of instruments of economic policy. The Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission enforces the EU's competition rules in cooperation with the authorities of the respective member states.

Public lecture
The lecture will take place on Friday, 22 May 2015, from 11.15 a.m. in Room 09-011 in the Library Building of the University of St.Gallen. It is open to the public and will be given in English. Admission will be free.