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The Anticompetitive Effect of Minority Share Acquisitions: Evidence from the Introduction of National Leniency Programs

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  • Sven Heim
  • Kai Hüschelrath
  • Ulrich Laitenberger
  • Yossi Spiegel

Abstract

We address the growing concern that minority shareholding (MS) in rival firms may lessen competition, using the introduction of national leniency programs (LPs) as a shock that destabilizes collusive agreements. Based on data from 63 countries, we find a large and significant immediate increase in domestic horizontal MS acquisitions once an LP is introduced but only in countries where the LP is deemed to be effective. There is no effect on non-horizontal or cross-border MS acquisitions. Our findings suggest that firms may use MS acquisitions to either stabilize collusive agreements or soften competition in the event that collusion breaks down.

Suggested Citation

  • Sven Heim & Kai Hüschelrath & Ulrich Laitenberger & Yossi Spiegel, 2022. "The Anticompetitive Effect of Minority Share Acquisitions: Evidence from the Introduction of National Leniency Programs," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 366-410, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmic:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:366-410
    DOI: 10.1257/mic.20190117
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Jianxia & Schmidbauer, Eric & Zhang, Lan, 2023. "Partial cross ownership, exclusive contracting, and market entry," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    2. Li, Youping & Zhang, Jianhu & Zhou, Zipeng, 2023. "Vertical differentiation with overlapping ownership," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Charistos, Konstantinos & Papadopoulos, Konstantinos G., 2022. "Cartel reporting under passive common ownership," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    4. Isogai, Shigeki & Shen, Chaohai, 2023. "Multiproduct firm’s reputation and leniency program in multimarket collusion," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    5. Jeroen Hinloopen & Sander Onderstal & Adriaan Soetevent, 2023. "Corporate Leniency Programs for Antitrust: Past, Present, and Future," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 63(2), pages 111-122, September.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L12 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Monopoly; Monopolization Strategies
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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