Law and Economics of Vertical Integration and Control

The literature on the law and economics of vertical integration and control is vast and scattered. In this monograph, we attempt to present a comprehensive and coherent survey of this literature. We try to make corrections where necessary and expand the analysis where appropriate. As we develop the economic case for vertical integration in response to varied circumstances, we also examine contractual alternatives. In each instance, we try to determine the extent to which the contractual alternatives are economically equivalent to ownership integration. In the second part of the monograph, we turn our attention to public policy. Although vertical integration and control can take many forms, these alternative forms provide, in many situations, economically equivalent results.