Economics Online

Transaction Cost Economics and Why Businesses File Dormant Company Accounts

Sometimes a business will continue to be registered even though it is not actively trading. This could be seen mainly as an administrative decision; however, once you apply the principles of transaction cost economics developed by Ronald Coase and later elaborated on by Oliver Williamson, the reason for staying registered

The Economics of Trustless Systems and Blockchain Governance

A major role of local governments is record-keeping, especially of asset titles and deeds. Will this bureaucratic role be made more efficient by utilizing Blockchain technology? A look at the economic effects of switching to Blockchain:

Regulatory Arbitrage in Cross-Border Digital Services

Online companies can relocate their headquarters to enjoy lower taxes and regulations; a process known as "jurisdiction shopping." What are the economic implications of jurisdictions trying to attract corporations and their taxes by reducing regulations?

Scarcity by Design: Artificial Constraints in Digital Goods

As the Internet matures, increasing constraints on the creation of digital goods are being imposed, such as creator features being placed behind paywalls. What are the economic reasons for this change?

Platform Exit Barriers and the Economics of Lock-In

Why do some tech companies make it difficult to cancel subscriptions, locking customers into annual subscriptions and auto-renewal if they forget to cancel? A look at the economics of imposing exit barriers on consumers.

Zero-Price Goods and Cross-Subsidisation in Digital Markets

Many consumers use at least one zero-price streaming platform to provide entertainment. Why do companies offer zero-cost digital entertainment? How do they make money? Will this model survive in the long run?

Algorithmic Management and the Economics of Surveillance

Today, many white collar workers are surveilled using "bossware" to log and monitor their online work performance. What are the economic ramification of using algorithmic management and digital surveillance on office employees?

Tokenization and the Repackaging of Illiquid Assets

Tokenization allows the value of durable assets like real estate and heavy equipment to be converted into digital tokens like cryptocurrency and traded. This allows common investors to "buy in" to complex and illiquid markets...but what are the risks?

Digital Identity, Reputation Capital, and Labour Market Signalling

Today, workers need more than charm and a firm handshake to get ahead. They need well-crafted and tailored digital identities that signal professionalism, leadership, and trustworthiness. Why will employers pay a premium for public-facing workers with strong digital identities?

Data Moats and Increasing Returns in the AI Economy

As large firms amass tremendous amounts of user data that they hold in "data moats" inaccessible to rival firms, they can enjoy increasing returns thanks to their ability to AI to analyze this data. Can start-ups still compete in this AI environment?

Global economics

Sharing Economy: Current Trends You Probably Do Not Know

The sharing or peer economy is not a new concept, but it has survived the test of time. It has also shifted and transformed, with its potential increasing significantly each year. Yet, most people still potentially associate the sharing economy with ride-sharing applications, which, as it turns out, is only

Behavioural economics

Debt Sustainability and Intertemporal Budget Constraints: Development Traps in Belt and Road Financing

BRI loans test intertemporal budget constraints, risking debt traps when growth and tradable returns fall short.

Behavioural economics

Credit Rationing and Information Asymmetry: The Economics Behind Online Micro-Loans

Credit rationing and asymmetric info explain why high-risk micro-loans exist and carry high rates.

The Economics of API Ecosystems and Modular Innovation

Today, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and modular software development allow for widespread and rapid improvement of programs and apps. How has the macro economy changed by this recent shift toward interoperability and add-on upgrades in software?

Creator Economies and Monopsony Power

Many people aspire to be influencers and content creators for the shot at freedom and creativity while earning an income. But the market for content creators is far closer to a monopsony than many people realize. If you want to earn an income, only a handful of social media giants can offer it.

Platform Governance and Private Regulation

Why do many social media sites have rules about what sort of content users can and cannot post? Economically, there are strong incentives for popular websites to self-police the content that gets posted. Free speech is popular politically, but not with all consumers!

Subscription Fatigue and Two-Part Tariffs in the Digital Economy

Today, streaming subscribers are discovering that they must pay additional fees to access premium content. A look at how two-part tariffs are affecting consumers and what might occur in the digital market for entertainment and premium content.

Financial Markets

Leading Free Trading Platforms for UK Investors: 2026 Comparison

The rise of free trading now makes it possible for UK investors to trade and invest in both stocks and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) without incurring the cost of commission and additional fees from their platforms. However, there are still substantial differences in provider fees, types of accounts, and regulatory standing,

Attention as an Economic Resource

A generation ago, technological advancements were seen as automatic productivity boosters. Today, many such advancements distract workers through easily-accessible entertainment. Attention must now be seen as a scarce factor of production.

How to Bridge Traditional Banking with Digital Finance

The financial services system is transforming at a faster rate than at any time over the last 50 years. It feels like just 10 years ago everything from instant cross-border payments to digital wallets and blockchain solutions seemed like the focus of a science fiction author, yet for millions of

Behavioural economics

Incomplete Contracts and Complex Requirements: Contract Theory and the Persistence of Bespoke Website Design Services

Incomplete contracts explain why bespoke website design services thrive amid evolving, complex digital needs.

Algorithmic Collusion Without Communication

Tomorrow, will the stores you frequent be using AI modeling to set their pricing and production figures? AI models are doing that right now, and may come to engage in "collusion" by independently concluding that higher prices and lower output leads to greater profits.

Shifts in the UK economy are changing attitudes to investment risk

The United Kingdom is a nation of savers, with an exceptionally low risk appetite when it comes to investing. Could a brightening economic outlook help to change our long-standing distrust of stocks and shares?  Residents have long preferred to save rather than invest, and ISA savings patterns underline an investment

Behavioural economics

Comparative Advantage and Specialization in Execution: Ricardo’s Law Applied to SaaS Development

Comparative advantage explains why SaaS founders outsource execution to specialists who lower costs, risk, and time to market.

Behavioural economics

Bounded Rationality and Behavioral Frictions: Why Simple Digital Tools Outcompete “Built-In” Features

Bounded rationality explains why users choose simple tools like ROI calculators over complex built-in features.