Chair or Research Initiative

Research initiative on the economics of postal and digital services

Supported by La Poste Group, this initiative aims to shed light on the major transformations in the postal sector and the evolution of its regulatory environment.

Partner since 1993

Logo La Poste

The research collaboration between La Poste and the Institute of Industrial Economics (IDEI) began in 1993. Since then, this partnership has been continuously renewed and enriched, keeping pace with the evolving economic, technological, and regulatory challenges facing the sector.

The research conducted within this framework combines theoretical approaches and empirical analyses to shed light on the major transformations in the postal sector and the evolution of its regulatory environment.

Activities

The research initiative, combines several types of activities:

  • Producing research on identified issues,
  • Presenting the research at academic conferences or events for decision-makers.

In addition, TSE and La Poste Group organize a biennial international conference on the postal economy focused on e-commerce, the digital economy, and delivery services. This event highlights recent advances in research and fosters dialogue between academics and professionals on contemporary issues such as population aging, the digitization of the economy and society, and climate change.

The projects carried out as part of this research initiative are part of a long-term approach. They are based on regular exchanges between TSE researchers and teams at La Poste Group, thereby ensuring that the research is directly relevant to the company’s operational and strategic challenges.

Priority research areas

  • Regulation of the postal sector, as well as the e-commerce and logistics sectors
  • Design of public policies that promote social and regional inclusion or aim to encourage socially responsible behavior among actors operating in markets with varying degrees of competition

The research resulting from our collaboration with TSE enhances our internal discussions and informs our strategic decisions. It also helps shape sector-specific regulations at the European and national levels.

Claire Borsenberger, Head of the Doctrine and Modeling Department in the Directorate of Regulation, Competition, and Institutional Relations, La Poste Groupe. 

Interview

Latests news

Visuel conférence postale 2026

Postal Economics Conference 2026

  • Corporate Relations

  • Partnership research

  • Infrastructure and Networks

  • Digital

La Poste Groupe and TSE co-organized this new edition of the International Postal Economics Conference on E-commerce, the Digital Economy, and Delivery Services, on April 16 and 17. This event is part of the…

Bandeau conference postale 2024

Postal Economics Conference 2024

  • Corporate Relations

  • Partnership research

  • Digital

  • Infrastructure and Networks

On April 4-5 in Toulouse, La Poste Groupe and TSE organized the 12th edition of the Postal Economics Conference.
This scientific event brought together prominent researchers, experts, policymakers, and key players…

Picture of Claire Borsenberger

Our partnership with TSE allows La Poste Groupe to develop world-class research

  • Corporate Relations

  • Competition policy and regulation

  • Partnership research

  • Digital

Claire Borsenberger completed her PhD in economics at TSE in 2004. She began her career at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. She joined La Poste Groupe 15 years ago and now heads its Doctrine and…

About La Poste Groupe

La Poste Groupe is France’s national postal operator. Building on a history spanning more than 600 years, it provides mail and package delivery services throughout France while expanding its operations in the fields of logistics, banking, insurance, and community services.

As a major player in French economic and social life, La Poste supports societal change by balancing economic performance, innovation, and public service.

Learn more about our partner

Publications and working papers

Platform competition: market structure and pricing

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Denis Joram, Jean-Marie Lozachmeur, and Estelle Malavolti

TSE Working Paper, vol. 19-1010,

Vertical integration in the e-commerce sector

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Denis Joram, and Jean-Marie Lozachmeur

TSE Working Paper, vol. 18-919,

The Pricing of Cross-Border Parcel Delivery Services

Claire Borsenberger, Lisa Chever, Helmuth Cremer, Denis Joram, and Jean-Marie Lozachmeur

In The Contribution of the Postal and Delivery Sector: Between E-Commerce and E-Substitution, 2018, pp. 223-239

Vertical integration in the e-commerce sector

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Denis Joram, and Jean-Marie Lozachmeur

In New Business and Regulatory Strategies in the Postal Sector,

Restoring Ramsey tax lessons to Mirrleesian tax settings: Atkinson-Stiglitz and Ramsey reconciled"

Helmuth Cremer, and Firouz Gahvari

Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 49, , pp. 11-35

Pricing of delivery services and the emergence of marketplace platforms

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Denis Joram, and Jean-Marie Lozachmeur

TSE Working Paper, vol. 16-686,

Differentiated pricing of delivery services in the e-commerce sector

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Philippe De Donder, and Denis Joram

In The Future of the Postal Sector in a Digital World, , pp. 191-211

Pricing of Delivery Services in the E-Commerce Sector

Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Philippe De Donder, Denis Joram, and Sébastien Lecou

In The Role Of Postal Service In A Digital Age, , pp. 75-92

Price Cap Regulation in the Postal Sector: Single vs. Multiple Baskets

Claire Borsenberger, Sébastien Bréville, Helmuth Cremer, Philippe De Donder, and Denis Joram

In Multi-Modal Competition and the Future of Mail, , pp. 195-205

Econometric Models and the Evolution of Post-Offices Network

François Boldron, Frédérique Fève, Jean-Pierre Florens, C. Panet-Amaro, and C. Valognes

In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age, 2011, pp. 163-172

Sustainable Growth and the Postal Sector: Universal Service vs. Environmental Protection

François Boldron, Claire Borsenberger, Helmuth Cremer, Philippe De Donder, Denis Joram, and Bernard Roy

In Reinventing the Postal Sector in an Electronic Age, 2011

Avantages et limites de la tarification non linéaire: le contrat commercial dans le secteur postal

In Libéralisation & Services Publics: Economie postale, 2010, pp. 319-331

Contact

Helmuth Cremer

Scientific Director

Eve Séjalon

Head of Research Partnerships and Centers

Cécile Miglos

Research Partnerships Project Manager

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La Poste Groupe is a member of the TSE Partner Club