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Environmental taxation and mergers in oligopoly markets with product differentiation

Author

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  • Mahelet G. Fikru

    (Missouri University of Science and Technology)

  • Luis Gautier

    (University of Texas at Tyler)

Abstract

We analyze the effect of mergers on optimal environmental taxation in a Cournot oligopoly market with product differentiation. Our result indicates that the adjustment in emission tax crucially depends on the post-merger output distortion and pollution intensities. Specifically, we find that the optimal emission tax increases post-merger as long as pollution intensity of firms is higher and output distortion smaller post-merger than pre-merger. Furthermore, our result suggests that there is no need to revise environmental policy in markets where pollution intensity of firms does not change post-merger and (i) products are completely differentiated, or (ii) there are many firms for any degree of product differentiation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahelet G. Fikru & Luis Gautier, 2017. "Environmental taxation and mergers in oligopoly markets with product differentiation," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 122(1), pages 45-65, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jeczfn:v:122:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s00712-017-0531-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00712-017-0531-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Choi, Pak-Sing & Espinola-Arredondo, Ana & Munoz, Felix, 2020. "Mergers as an environmental ally: Socially excessive and insufficient merger approvals," Working Papers 2020-1, School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University.
    2. Choi, Pak-Sing & Espínola-Arredondo, Ana & Muñoz-García, Félix, 2022. "Environmental policy helping antitrust decisions: Socially excessive and insufficient merger approvals," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Fikru, Mahelet G. & Gautier, Luis, 2021. "Electric utility mergers in the presence of distributed renewable energy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    4. Chuyuan Zhang & Sang‐Ho Lee, 2023. "Foreign passive ownership and tariff‐induced free technology transfer under vertical integration," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 91(2), pages 89-117, March.
    5. Nobuyuki Takashima & Yasunori Ouchida, 2020. "Quality‐improving R&D and merger policy in a differentiated duopoly: Cournot and Bertrand equilibria," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(7), pages 1338-1348, October.
    6. Luis Gautier & Mahelet G. Fikru, 2022. "The Welfare Impact of New Firm Acquisitions," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 535-559, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Emission tax; Output distortion; Mergers and acquisitions; Pollution intensity; End-of-the-pipe abatement; Carbon tax;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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