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Economic Evaluation of temporary agency work

Several proposals for additional regulation of temporary agency work are currently under discussion. Our study, conducted on behalf of swissstaffing, concludes that these proposals do not bring any added value. The analysis, which was carried out using the regulatory impact assessment (RIA) method, shows that temporary work plays an important role in the labour market. It reduces market frictions and enables efficient and rapid placement between companies and employees.

Temporary agency work thus provides flexibility, but at the same time is in tension with employment security. Without temporary agency work, an increase in less regulated forms of work such as temporary employment, self-employment or on-demand work could be expected. Unemployment and undeclared work could also increase. Moreover, temporary agency workers in Switzerland already benefit from comprehensive protection through a collective labour agreement.

The study can be downloaded in German or French.

Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare

A new publication written by Swiss Economics.

The research article «Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare» by Swiss Economics and researchers from the University of Zurich shows how service providers exempted from the obligation to pay a value-added tax are favoured in competition. Further, this unequal treatment substantially affects outsourcing decisions and the labour market.

Helmut Dietl, Christian Jaag, Markus Lang, Martin Lutzenberger and Urs Trinkner (2011). «Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare». In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 267-280.

Published in the same book: Maegli Martin, Christian Jaag, Martin Koller and Urs Trinkner (2011). «Postal Markets and Electronic Substitution: Implications for Regulatory Practices and Institutions in Europe». In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age. Edited by M. Crew and P.R. Kleindorfer, Edward Elgar, pp. 109-122.

New research published

An article by Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner has been published in  the Journal of Regulatory Economics.

The research article «The interaction between universal service costing and financing in the postal sector: a calibrated approach» by Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner has been published in the Journal of Regulatory Economics.

To the document

Presentation at the DG MARKT economic seminar

Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Yet another case of unintended consequences: VAT exemption and the public interest» at the DG MARKT economic seminar.

The presentation illustrates the distortive effects of VAT exemptions on competition in a newly liberalized industry and how they can be included in the calculation of the net cost of universal service obligations.

Presentation at the 2010 Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries

Swiss Economics presented the paper «An Economic Framework to Understand and Assess Regulations in Network Industries».

Swiss Economics presented the paper «An Economic Framework to Understand and Assess Regulations in Network Industries» at the 2010 Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries.

In addition to a theoretical framework, he also presented two applications: Liberalization in network industries and the development of regulation in the postal sector.

New staff member

Swiss Economics welcomes Oliver Fürst as a new staff member!

Oliver Fürst holds a Master of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Zurich. At Swiss Economics he works as a consultant for strategy and regulation in network industries.

Presentations at the Conference on Trends and Innovation for the Postal Market

Swiss Economics contributed three new research papers to the Conference on Trends and Innovation for the Postal Market.

Post Office Network Realignments and their Impact on Innovation
To the presentation

Postal Regulation, Declining Mail Volumes, and the Transformation of Business Models?
To the presentation

Postal markets and electronic substitution: What is the impact of intermodal competition on regulatory practices and institutions? The paper has received the «best paper award».
To the document

Presentations at the 18th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics

Swiss Economics contributed with three presentations to the 18th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics.
  • Impact of VAT-Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare
  • Postal Markets and Electronic Substitution: What is the Impact of Convergence on Regulatory Practices and Institutions?
  • Practical Approaches to USO Costing and Financing

Presentation on International FTTH-Policies

At the «Second Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries» Christian Jaag has given a presentation on «Approaches to FTTH-Regulation: An International Comparison».

Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Approaches to FTTH-Regulation: An International Comparison» at the 2nd Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries.

Presentation on the Future of Universal Services in the Postal Sector

A presentation by Urs Trinkner.

At the «IPC Senior Executive Forum on Regulation» Urs Trinkner has given a presentation on «Shaping the USO? An Outline of Thought from an Economic Perspective».

Presentation on Price Regulation in Postal Markets

A presentation by Christian Jaag.

At the 42nd Freiburger Verkehrsseminar, Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «Preisobergrenzen in liberalisierten Postmärkten» (in German).
Contribution to the 1st Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries

Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner presented their paper.

Christian Jaag and Urs Trinkner presented their paper «Regulation in Network Industries: Theory and Practice» at the 1st Annual Conference on Competition and Regulation in Network Industries.
Presentation on the Cost of Universal Service Provision in the Postal Sector

A presentation by Christian Jaag.

At the 1st European Postal Benchmarking Workshop on Regulatory and Legal Affairs in Brussels, Christian Jaag has given a presentation on «Calculating the Net Cost of the USO».