Concorrência Espacial, Sistemas de Informação e Comunicação, Pesquisa de Preços e Regulação – Um Ensaio para o Caso do Mercado de Combustíveis Líquidos em Portugal

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to study the implementation of an integrated system of information, based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies, on the fossil fuels market that can bring economic benefets to the consumers, create conditions for a more effective interview of the competent regulation entity and further open a space to new managerial strategies, from fossil fuels market to one of mobile telecommunications operator, or even internet and suppliers of services that use GPS technology. When the goods are substitutes, the price is a fundamental determinant in the acquisition and used of those goods. However, the existence of a spatial dimension on supply (producers are not located in a homogeneous space), on demand (the consumers hardly can compare the prices) and the scarcity of available information, set the conditions for market operators to nearly fixed revenues that can hardly decrease. An instrumental objective is to offer the consumer reliable and updated information allowing him a choice inside of a certain potential demand ray which the most reduced price and the shortest road to get it.