CUTS invite submission of theoretical, empirical and policy-oriented research papers for the second research cycle of the biennial Competition, Regulation and Development Research Forum (CDRF).

CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition (http://www.circ.in) has envisioned this long-term research programme on competition policy and regulatory regimes in the developing world, with a strategy of motivating developing country researchers to undertake research on issues relating to problems that developing countries face in implementing their competition and regulatory regime.

The first cycle provided a platform for experienced as well as budding researchers from developing countries to showcase their research and deliberate on political economy and governance constraints issues. The focus was on policy-oriented evidence-based research grounded on theoretical underpinnings. An International Research Symposium was organised at New Delhi in March, 2007 for the researchers to present the findings of their papers to an audience comprising of various international experts, political economists, academicians, representatives of competition and regulatory authorities and others, facilitated deliberations on the above issues and helped in identifying better solutions, suitable to the requirements of developing countries. To know more about the 1st cycle and the research papers, please log on to www.circ.in/cdrfsymp.htm Entire event was webcast live and viewed by thousands of viewers all over the world. The webcast of the event can be seen on the link http://www.24framesdigital.com/cuts/

Theme and Research Areas for 2nd cycle

The theme for the second cycle is ‘Institutional Issues covering Political Economy and Governance Constraints in Implementing Competition and Regulatory Regimes in the Developing World’. Following research areas have been identified under this theme:

• Do Conflicting Objectives of Stakeholders Act as Hindrance to Effective Implementation of Competition and Regulatory Regimes

• Resolving Conflict between Competition and Regulatory Authorities

• Protection of Public Interest vis-à-vis Promotion of Efficient Markets

The emphasis will be on issues relating to the developing world. Papers will be considered on the basis of originality and quality on the above research areas only. The focus will be on policy-oriented evidence-based research grounded on theoretical underpinnings. The papers will be published in a volume by a reputed publishing house. Authors of accepted papers will be given honorarium for each paper.

Submission of papers

Researchers can choose one of the above research areas for submitting their papers. They may also choose to cover any combination of the above areas. The full paper (after acceptance of abstract) should be between 7000 to 8000 words (font size 12)

How to submit

Prospective authors are requested to first submit abstracts with some methodological details for their paper for consideration as per the guidelines for authors (http://www.circ.in/CDRF-auth_guide02.htm). Authors whose abstracts are selected will be invited to submit a first draft of their full papers for further review and acceptance. The invitation to submit a first draft does not mean automatic inclusion of paper in the research volume.

Deadline for submission of abstract is 30th September 2007

Important Rules and Requirements

• Your paper MUST include the following:

  • Title of the paper

  • Abstract of the Paper

  • A short biography, reviewing the principal author’s and co-author(s) professional and educational background. Complete contact information (full address, telephone and fax numbers, email address) must be included with each biography

• CUTS reserve the right to decline any paper with commercial content without notice.

• The paper should be original and not have had prior coverage or circulation, such as presentation at other conferences or prior publication.

• The content of the paper must not be announced or published prior to the event.

• The number of accepted papers and the panel subjects will depend on the number, quality, and subject areas of the submitted papers.

• The paper should be within the word limit as mentioned above.

Those interested in submitting papers kindly contact the CDRF team as early as possible.

For submission and/or further details please contact:

Vikash Batham
Coordinator
CUTS Competition, Regulation and Development Research Forum
CUTS International
D-217 Bhaskar Marg,
Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, India
Phone: 91 141 228 2821 (3 lines)
Fax: 91 141 2282485
Website: www.cuts-ccier.org 
Email: cdrf@cuts.org