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Horizontal Mergers In The Presence Of Capacity Constraints

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  • Zhiqi Chen
  • Gang Li

Abstract

We examine a merger between two competitors in a Bertrand‐Edgeworth model. We find that the effects of merger depend on the tightness of capacity constraints. The combination of two firms has no price effect if and only if the capacity constraints of all firms are binding both before and after the merger. However, a merger may turn a binding capacity constraint into a slack one, which results in higher prices. In an industry where excess capacity drives the premerger prices of all firms to the marginal cost, a merger may cause prices to rise even though aggregate capacity remains constant. (JEL L13, L40)

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiqi Chen & Gang Li, 2018. "Horizontal Mergers In The Presence Of Capacity Constraints," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 56(2), pages 1346-1356, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:56:y:2018:i:2:p:1346-1356
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12557
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, You-hua & Chen, Liu-man & Mishra, Ashok K., 2021. "Information, Capacity Constraints and Quality on Firms Competition," 2021 ASAE 10th International Conference (Virtual), January 11-13, Beijing, China 329427, Asian Society of Agricultural Economists (ASAE).
    2. Iwan Bos & Marco A. Marini, 2022. "Oligopoly Pricing: The Role of Firm Size and Number," Games, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Daniel Greenfield & Jeremy A. Sandford, 2021. "Upward pricing pressure in mergers of capacity‐constrained firms," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(4), pages 1723-1747, October.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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