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Illicit Markets, Unobserved Competitors, and Illegal Behavior

Objective

Many markets are characterized by illicit or illegal behavior by agents. To the extent that the empirical economic framework does not incorporate these unobserved actions or control for them in estimation, the resulting models are likely to be mis-specified. Naturally, if the models do not contain all elements relevant for decision making, then predictions based on the estimates will be misleading, which could result in incorrect policy recommendations. This project directly addresses three situations in which unobserved behavior plays a crucial role. The first concerns markets where consumers engage in illicit behavior. These markets are prevalent in society as they constitute the market for illicit drugs, which is estimated at more than $300 billion per year (UN, 2012). The second concerns markets where firms make strategic decisions in the presence of an unidentified competitor - a counterfeiter, where the global value of counterfeit products rivals that of illegal drugs (OECD, 2007). The third concerns situations where firms use legal tools for illegal purposes, for which the impact is challenging to quantify and one goal of this project. In each area, the project (i) develops state-of-the-art empirical models that incorporate illicit behaviors, (ii) proposes novel estimation methods that can be used to detect illegal behavior, and (iii) provides evidence that the proposed methodology is feasible and the data are sufficient to estimate the models. Incorporating and estimating unobserved behavior in a variety of settings is an ambitious undertaking. However, it is vital as a key objective of the proposal is to provide policy makers with tangible tools that accurately reflect the unobserved nature of these markets. Given the global significance of illicit markets, the novel concepts proposed, and the focus on policy, this project has the potential to make a sizable impact, both in and beyond academia, representing an ambitious but worthwhile pursuit.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2016-COG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITAET MANNHEIM
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 212 934,00
Address
SCHLOSS
68161 MANNHEIM
Germany

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Mannheim, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 212 934,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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