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Bargining, Bundling, and Clout: The Portfolio Effects of Horizontal Mergers

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel P. O'Brien

    (Federal Trade Commission)

  • Greg Shaffer

    (University of Rochester)

Abstract

We examine the output and profit effects of horizontal mergers between differentiated upstream firms in an intermediate-goods market served by a downstream monopolist. If the merged firm can bundle, transfer pricing is efficient before and after the merger. Absent cost efficiencies, consumer and total welfare do not change. If the merged firm cannot bundle and its bargaining power is sufficiently high, transfer pricing is inefficient after the merger. Absent cost efficiencies, welfare typically falls. We evaluate the profit effects of mergers for the case of two-part tariff contracts. Rival firms gain (lose) from mergers that raise (lower) downstream prices. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a merger that harms the retailer may increase welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel P. O'Brien & Greg Shaffer, 2005. "Bargining, Bundling, and Clout: The Portfolio Effects of Horizontal Mergers," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 36(3), pages 573-595, Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:rje:randje:v:36:y:2005:3:p:573-595
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ioannis N. Pinopoulos, 2017. "Upstream horizontal mergers and vertical integration," Discussion Paper Series 2017_07, Department of Economics, University of Macedonia, revised Aug 2017.
    2. Gautam Gowrisankaran & Aviv Nevo & Robert Town, 2015. "Mergers When Prices Are Negotiated: Evidence from the Hospital Industry," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(1), pages 172-203, January.
    3. Nilsen, Øivind Anti & Sørgard, Lars & Ulsaker, Simen A., 2016. "Upstream merger in a successive oligopoly: Who pays the price?," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 143-172.
    4. Allain, Marie-Laure & Avignon, Rémi & Chambolle, Claire, 2020. "Purchasing alliances and product variety," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    5. Tirtha Dhar, 2013. "Can Margin Differences in Vertical Marketing Channels Lead to Contracts with Slotting Fees?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 59(12), pages 2766-2771, December.
    6. Goker Aydin & H. Sebastian Heese, 2015. "Bargaining for an Assortment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 61(3), pages 542-559, March.
    7. Adam D. Rennhoff & Konstantinos Serfes, 2009. "The Role of Upstream‐Downstream Competition on Bundling Decisions: Should Regulators Force Firms to Unbundle?," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(2), pages 547-588, June.
    8. Adilov Nodir & Alexander Peter & Cunningham Brendan M., 2012. "Smaller Pie, Larger Slice: How Bargaining Power Affects the Decision to Bundle," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, April.
    9. Steven Brakman & Harry Garretsen & Charles van Marrewijk & Charles van Marrewijk, 2015. "The Location of Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions in the USA," CESifo Working Paper Series 5331, CESifo.
    10. Dertwinkel-Kalt, Markus & Wey, Christian, 2020. "Multi-product bargaining, bundling, and buyer power," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    11. Steven Brakman & Harry Garretsen & Charles Van Marrewijk & Arjen Van Witteloostuijn, 2013. "Cross‐Border Merger & Acquisition Activity and Revealed Comparative Advantage in Manufacturing Industries," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(1), pages 28-57, March.
    12. Li, Xiaojing & Chen, Jing & Ai, Xingzheng, 2019. "Contract design in a cross-sales supply chain with demand information asymmetry," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 275(3), pages 939-956.
    13. Gangshu (George) Cai & Yue Dai & Sean X. Zhou, 2012. "Exclusive Channels and Revenue Sharing in a Complementary Goods Market," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 31(1), pages 172-187, January.
    14. David E. Mills, 2017. "Buyer‐Induced Exclusive Dealing," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 84(1), pages 66-81, July.
    15. Jianhua Ma & Xingzheng Ai & Wen Yang & Yanchun Pan, 2019. "Decentralization versus coordination in competing supply chains under retailers’ extended warranties," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 275(2), pages 485-510, April.
    16. Symeonidis, George, 2010. "Downstream merger and welfare in a bilateral oligopoly," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 230-243, May.
    17. Wipusanawan, Chayanin, 2023. "Standard-essential patents, innovation, and competition," Other publications TiSEM 292e319a-9e6a-4465-8f8f-7, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    18. Qi Feng & Lauren Xiaoyuan Lu, 2012. "The Strategic Perils of Low Cost Outsourcing," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(6), pages 1196-1210, June.
    19. George Symeonidis, 2008. "Downstream Competition, Bargaining, and Welfare," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 247-270, March.
    20. George Symeonidis, 2008. "Downstream Competition, Bargaining, and Welfare," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 247-270, 03.
    21. Ioannis Pinopoulos, 2016. "Vertical integration and upstream horizontal mergers," Discussion Paper Series 2016_03, Department of Economics, University of Macedonia, revised Nov 2016.
    22. Pinar Akman, 2008. "'Consumer' versus 'Customer': the Devil in the Detail," Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) 2008-34, Centre for Competition Policy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK..

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