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Interactions Across Firms and Bid Rigging

Author

Listed:
  • Mats A. Bergman

    (Södertörn University – Stockholm)

  • Johan Lundberg

    (Umeå University)

  • Sofia Lundberg

    (Umeå University)

  • Johan Y. Stake

    (The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority)

Abstract

We evaluate whether an econometric technique that is used in the spatial econometrics and network effects literatures can be adopted as a test for collusive bidding in public procurement auctions. The proposed method is applied to the Swedish asphalt cartel that was discovered in 2001. Our dataset covers the period 1995–2009, which makes it possible to test for conditional independence between complementary cartel bids before and after 2001. Our estimates show a significant positive correlation between complementary cartel bids during the cartel period, whereas a non-significant correlation is shown during the later period. The variance of the parameter estimate of interest also differs between the periods, which suggests a structural change in bidding behavior among cartel members between the two periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Mats A. Bergman & Johan Lundberg & Sofia Lundberg & Johan Y. Stake, 2020. "Interactions Across Firms and Bid Rigging," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 56(1), pages 107-130, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:revind:v:56:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11151-018-09676-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11151-018-09676-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hannes Wallimann & David Imhof & Martin Huber, 2023. "A Machine Learning Approach for Flagging Incomplete Bid-Rigging Cartels," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 62(4), pages 1669-1720, December.
    2. Häckner, Jonas & Herzing, Mathias, 2022. "The strategic interaction between cartels and anti-trust authorities," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    3. Emanuel Wittberg & Mihály Fazekas, 2023. "Firm performance, imperfect competition, and corruption risks in procurement: evidence from Swedish municipalities," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 197(1), pages 227-251, October.
    4. Imhof, David & Wallimann, Hannes, 2021. "Detecting bid-rigging coalitions in different countries and auction formats," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    5. David Imhof & Hannes Wallimann, 2021. "Detecting bid-rigging coalitions in different countries and auction formats," Papers 2105.00337, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Antitrust; Auction; Cartel and collusion; Complementary bidding; Public procurement; Networks; Spatial econometrics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • H57 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Procurement
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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