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An Aggregative Games Approach to Merger Analysis in Multiproduct-Firm Oligopoly

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  • Volker Nocke
  • Nicolas Schutz

Abstract

Using an aggregative games approach, we analyze horizontal mergers in a model of multiproduct-firm price competition with nested CES or nested logit demands. We show that the Herfindahl index provides an adequate measure of the welfare distortions introduced by market power, and that the induced change in the naively-computed Herfindahl index is a good approximation for the market power effect of a merger. We also provide conditions under which a merger raises consumer surplus, and conditions under which a myopic, consumer-surplus-based merger approval policy is dynamically optimal. Finally, we study the aggregate surplus and external effects of a merger.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Nocke & Nicolas Schutz, 2018. "An Aggregative Games Approach to Merger Analysis in Multiproduct-Firm Oligopoly," NBER Working Papers 24578, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24578
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    1. Falk Bräuning & José Fillat & Gustavo Joaquim, 2022. "Cost-Price Relationships in a Concentrated Economy," Current Policy Perspectives 94265, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    2. Spiegel, Yossi, 2019. "The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index and the distribution of social surplus," CEPR Discussion Papers 13925, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Tommaso Valletti & Hans Zenger, 2021. "Mergers with Differentiated Products: Where Do We Stand?," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 58(1), pages 179-212, February.
    4. Michele Fioretti & Jorge Tamayo, 2021. "Saving for a Dry Day: Coal, Dams, and the Energy Transition," Working Papers hal-03389152, HAL.
    5. Nocke, Volker & Whinston, Michael D., 2020. "Concentration Screens for Horizontal Mergers," CEPR Discussion Papers 14979, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Sato, Susumu, 2021. "Market shares and profits in two-sided markets," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    7. Vanessa Alviarez & Keith Head & Thierry Mayer, 2020. "Global giants and local stars: How changes in brand ownership affect competition," Sciences Po Economics Discussion Papers 2020-04, Sciences Po Departement of Economics.
    8. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/6q707l4svn8k3bt630nhgdqgdu is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Justin P. Johnson & Andrew Rhodes, 2021. "Multiproduct mergers and quality competition," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 52(3), pages 633-661, September.
    10. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/6q707l4svn8k3bt630nhgdqgdu is not listed on IDEAS
    11. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/1qif9fqehq930ovnr511k1el4f is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Wang, X. Henry & Zhao, Jingang, 2022. "Merger effects in asymmetric and differentiated Bertrand oligopolies," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 37-49.
    13. Holger Breinich & Harald Fadinger & Volker Nocke & Nicolas Schutz, 2020. "Gravity With Granularity," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2020_236, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    14. José Luis Moraga‐González & Evgenia Motchenkova & Saish Nevrekar, 2022. "Mergers and innovation portfolios," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 53(4), pages 641-677, December.
    15. Gábor Koltay & Szabolcs Lorincz & Tommaso Valletti, 2023. "Concentration and Competition: Evidence From Europe and Implications For Policy1," Journal of Competition Law and Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 19(3), pages 466-501.
    16. C. Luke Watson & Oren Ziv, 2021. "Is the Rent Too High? Land Ownership and Monopoly Power," CESifo Working Paper Series 8864, CESifo.
    17. Nisvan Erkal & Lijun Pan, 2022. "Horizontal Merger Analysis with Endogenous Product Range Choice," ISER Discussion Paper 1162, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.
    18. Nathan H. Miller & Gloria Sheu, 2021. "Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Unilateral Effects of Mergers," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 58(1), pages 143-177, February.
    19. Simon P. Anderson & Nisvan Erkal & Daniel Piccinin, 2020. "Aggregative games and oligopoly theory: short‐run and long‐run analysis," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 51(2), pages 470-495, June.
    20. Yossi Spiegel, 2021. "The Herfindahl‐Hirschman Index and the Distribution of Social Surplus," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(3), pages 561-594, September.
    21. Haucap, Justus & Stiebale, Joel, 2023. "Non-price effects of mergers and acquisitions," DICE Discussion Papers 402, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).
    22. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/1qif9fqehq930ovnr511k1el4f is not listed on IDEAS
    23. Gábor Koltay & Szabolcs Lorncz & Tommaso M. Valletti, 2022. "Concentration and Competition: Evidence from Europe and Implications for Policy," CESifo Working Paper Series 9640, CESifo.
    24. Garcia, Arturo & Leal, Mariel & Lee, Sang-Ho, 2020. "Merger incentive and strategic CSR by a multiproduct corporation," MPRA Paper 98830, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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