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On the difficulty of collusion in the presence of a more efficient outsider

Author

Listed:
  • Guillaume Cheikbossian

    (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - FRE2010 - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier)

  • Philippe Mahenc

    (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - FRE2010 - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier)

Abstract

We study the ability of several identical firms to collude in the presence of a more efficient firm, which does not take part in their collusive agreement. The cartel firms adopt stick-and-carrot strategies, while the efficient firm plays its one-period best-response function, regardless of the history of play. We characterize the most collusive symmetric punishment, which maximizes the scope for collusion. We then find that either a lower cost disadvantage or a smaller cartel size facilitates collusion. Finally, we compare our results with those obtained in the standard setup where all firms participate in the collusive agreement.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillaume Cheikbossian & Philippe Mahenc, 2018. "On the difficulty of collusion in the presence of a more efficient outsider," Post-Print hal-01950057, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01950057
    DOI: 10.1628/093245617X15120238641839
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-01950057
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cost asymmetry; optimal punishments; outsider; repeated game; tacit collusion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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