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Relative profit maximization and Bertrand equilibrium with quadratic cost functions

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  • Satoh, Atsuhiro
  • Tanaka, Yasuhito

Abstract

We study the Bertrand equilibrium in duopoly in which two firms produce a homogeneous good under quadratic cost functions, and they seek to maximize the weighted sum of their absolute and relative profits. We show that there exists a range of the equilibrium price in duopolistic equilibria. This range of equilibrium price is narrower and lower than the range of the equilibrium price in duopolistic equilibria under pure absolute profit maximization, and the larger the weight on the relative profit, the narrower and lower the range of the equilibrium price. In this sense relative profit maximization by the firms is more aggressive than absolute profit maximization.

Suggested Citation

  • Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2014. "Relative profit maximization and Bertrand equilibrium with quadratic cost functions," MPRA Paper 55893, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:55893
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    6. Yasuhito Tanaka, 2013. "Irrelevance of the choice of strategic variables in duopoly under relative profit maximization," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 2(2), pages 75-83.
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    Cited by:

    1. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2015. "Relative profit maximization and the choice of strategic variables in duopoly," MPRA Paper 63000, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Jacek Prokop & Michał Ramsza & Bartłomiej Wiśnicki, 2015. "A Note on Bertrand Competition under Quadratic Cost Functions," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 2, pages 5-14.
    3. Masahiko Hattori & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2014. "Incentive for adoption of new technology in duopoly under absolute and relative profit maximization," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 34(3), pages 2051-2059.
    4. Hattori, Masahiko & Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2018. "Minimax theorem and Nash equilibrium of symmetric three-players zero-sum game with two strategic variables," MPRA Paper 85503, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2020. "Sion's minimax theorem and Nash equilibrium of symmetric three-players zero-sum game," International Journal of Mathematics in Operational Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 16(2), pages 279-289.
    6. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2018. "On the relation between Sion's minimax theorem and existence of Nash equilibrium in asymmetric multi-players zero-sum game with only one alien," Papers 1806.07253, arXiv.org.
    7. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2014. "Relative profit maximization and Bertrand equilibrium with convex cost functions," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 8, pages 1-15.
    8. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2014. "Relative Profit Maximization in Duopoly: Difference or Ratio," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 13(2), pages 127-141, December.
    9. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2016. "Symmetric multi-person zero-sum game with two sets of strategic variables," MPRA Paper 75838, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2018. "Nash equilibrium in asymmetric multi-players zero-sum game with two strategic variables and only one alien," MPRA Paper 88978, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2014. "Free Entry Oligopoly, Cournot, Bertrand and Relative Profit Maximization," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 13(2), pages 143-155, December.
    12. Tanaka, Yasuhito & Satoh, Atsuhiro, 2016. "Maximin and minimax strategies in asymmetric duopoly: Cournot and Bertrand," MPRA Paper 73925, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Masahiko Hattori & Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2018. "Minimax theorem and Nash equilibrium of symmetric multi-players zero-sum game with two strategic variables," Papers 1806.07203, arXiv.org.
    14. Atsuhiro SATOH & Yasuhito TANAKA, 2016. "Equivalence of Cournot and Bertrand equilibria in duopoly under relative profit maximization: A general analysis," Journal of Economics and Political Economy, KSP Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 513-523, September.
    15. Li, Hui & Zhou, Wei & Elsadany, A. A & Chu, Tong, 2021. "Stability, multi-stability and instability in Cournot duopoly game with knowledge spillover effects and relative profit maximization," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    16. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2018. "Sion's mini-max theorem and Nash equilibrium in a five-players game with two groups which is zero-sum and symmetric in each group," Papers 1809.02466, arXiv.org.
    17. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2019. "Two Person Zero-Sum Game with Two Sets of Strategic Variables," International Game Theory Review (IGTR), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(03), pages 1-15, September.
    18. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2017. "Sion's minimax theorem and Nash equilibrium of symmetric multi-person zero-sum game," MPRA Paper 82148, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    19. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2018. "Nash equilibrium of partially asymmetric three-players zero-sum game with two strategic variables," Papers 1809.02465, arXiv.org.
    20. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2018. "The equivalence of mini-max theorem and existence of Nash equilibrium in asymmetric three-players zero-sum game with two groups," MPRA Paper 87249, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    21. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2018. "Sion's mini-max theorem and Nash equilibrium in a multi-players game with two groups which is zero-sum and symmetric in each group," MPRA Paper 88977, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    22. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2016. "Maximin and minimax strategies in symmetric oligopoly: Cournot and Bertrand," MPRA Paper 75837, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bertrand equilibrium; quadratic cost function; relative profit maximization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection

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