MARKET STRUCTURES OLIGOPOLY Oligopoly Features of an oligopolistic

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MARKET STRUCTURES OLIGOPOLY

MARKET STRUCTURES OLIGOPOLY

Oligopoly • Features of an oligopolistic market structure: – Price may be relatively stable

Oligopoly • Features of an oligopolistic market structure: – Price may be relatively stable across the industry – kinked demand curve? – Potential for collusion – Behaviour of firms affected by what they believe their rivals might do – interdependence of firms – Goods could be homogenous or highly differentiated – Branding and brand loyalty may be a potent source of competitive advantage – Non-price competition may be prevalent – Game theory can be used to explain some behaviour – High barriers to entry

Oligopoly Price The kinked demand curve - an explanation for price stability? Assume the

Oligopoly Price The kinked demand curve - an explanation for price stability? Assume the firm is charging a faces price The If The thefirm principle therefore, seeks ofto the lower effectively kinked its price demand to of £ 5‘kinked and producing an output of its 100. gain a acurve competitive demand rests on curve’ advantage, the principle forcing itrivals to will follow maintain that: asuit. stable Anyorgains rigid pricing it makes will If it chose to raise price above £ 5, its quickly be. Oligopolistic structure. lost and the firms % change may in rivals not followitssuit andits the firm a. would If a firm raises price, demand will overcome this beby smaller engaging thaninthe non-price % effectively an follow elasticsuit demand rivalsfaces will not reduction in price – total revenue would competition. curve for its product (consumers would again firm now facesits a b. fall If a as firmthe lowers its price, buy from the cheaper rivals). The % relatively inelastic curve. rivals will all demand do the same change in demand would be greater than the % change in price and TR would fall. £ 5 Total Revenue B Total Revenue A Total Revenue B Kinked D Curve D = elastic D = Inelastic 100 Quantity