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Collusion in markets with imperfect price information on both sides

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Author Info
Christian Schultz (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen)
Abstract

The paper considers tacit collusion in markets which are not fully transparent on both sides. Consumers only detect prices with some probability before deciding which fi?rm to purchase from, and each fi?rm only detects the other fi?rm's price with some probability. Increasing transparency on the producer side facilitates collusion, while increasing transparency on the consumer side makes collusion more difficult. Conditions are given under which increases in a common factor, affecting transparency positively on both sides, are pro-competitive. With two standard information technologies, this is so, when fi?rms are easier to inform than consumers.

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Paper provided by University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. Centre for Industrial Economics in its series CIE Discussion Papers with number 2009-01.

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Length: 18 pages
Date of creation: Jul 2009
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Handle: RePEc:kud:kuieci:2009-01

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Related research
Keywords: transparency; tacit collusion; cartel theory; competition policy; internet;

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Find related papers by 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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This page was last updated on 2009-12-2.

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