Global Price Fixing / Studies in Industrial Organization Bd.26 (PDF)

From the review of the second edition by Valerie Y. Suslow, University of Michigan, published in: Journal of Economic Literature Vol. 47 (June 2009): 527-529

[…] John Connor’s book, Global Price Fixing, an updated and revised second edition, is an in depth look at the organization, mechanisms of operation, behavior, and effects of three famous international cartels in the citric acid, lysine, and vitamins industries. Empirical researchers often focus on "international cartels"—those with members from two or more countries. Connor focuses on "global cartels," which he defines as "conspiracies that bridge two or more continents" (p. 5). […]

The scope of the book is wide-ranging, addressing the economics of cartel operation for these three in-depth cases, but at the same time offering an overview of the policy issues as well as commentary on recent developments. Not surprisingly, there is much to bring up to date because "[m]uch has happened in the field of cartels since the first edition was written in 2000" (p. viii). Although the organization of the book is substantially the same, the focus has broadened. […]

Global Price Fixing continues to be an invaluable reference for those with a deep interest in the economics of cartels, and a very readable and accessible narrative on the stories behind three famous contemporary international cartels. Given the apparent continued proclivity of firms to conspire to fix prices and allocate markets, these stories will continue to be relevant for researchers and policymakers for years to come.

From reviews of the first edition: