The impact of the liberalisation of public services on the competitiveness of firms in the alpine regions of Switzerland

In the following examinations we will concentrate on four areas of public services: regional public transport, postal services, telecommunications, and electricity. In making this selection, we have incorporated those services in which attempts to liberalise markets are most advanced and in which initial experience in opening up markets has already been acquired. The network-based infrastructures form the basis for economic activity. They have hitherto frequently been implemented as important, but often not explicitly designated, instruments of economic and regional policy. For this reason, these four sectors are of particular interest from the point of view of the regional economy. But the themes of opening up the market and fundamental provision are also gaining significance in further areas, such as health and education. The liberalisation endeavours in the various sectors show different stages of progress. This is mainly the result of two determining factors: the economic characteristics of the market and the technological opportunities available in each case. Three additional components can also be identified which have a decisive influence on the liberalisation process. 1. the structure of the political decisionmaking process, 2. the historical context and the market structure arising from it, and 3. the traditions and values of the country.