Work in this theme is wide ranging, encompassing all the main subject disciplines within CCP, often working together; and using a variety of methodologies (archival, theoretical economic modelling, econometric, surveys, content and discourse analysis, and experimental). Our work aims to extend our understanding of the interface between tacit and hard core collusion by theoretical modelling, empirically contrasting the internal structures of cartels and tacitly collusive groups; and by examining the nature of the competitive process in markets before and after cartelisation. Certain key themes are pervasive:

 What constitutes collusion?  How does collusion originate?  What is the origin and content of policy on collusion?  What are the external perceptions of collusion and its acceptability?