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Finance and collusion in oligopolistic markets

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  • Marjit, Sugata
  • Mukherjee, Arijit
  • Xu, Xinpeng
  • Yang, Lei

Abstract

We explore how financial constraints affect the sustainability of product market collusion in a bank-financed oligopoly, where firms operate within an imperfect credit market. Our analysis uncovers a non-monotonic relationship between the sustainability of collusion and the level of financial constraints, using a general demand function. Notably, collusion tends to be more sustainable when firms experience low to moderate financial constraints, as opposed to having no financial constraints at all. However, when firms are under complete financial constraints, the sustainability of collusion may decrease compared to situations without financial constraints. These findings hold true for both Cournot and Bertrand competition models in the product market.

Suggested Citation

  • Marjit, Sugata & Mukherjee, Arijit & Xu, Xinpeng & Yang, Lei, 2025. "Finance and collusion in oligopolistic markets," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:76:y:2025:i:c:s1062940824002766
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2024.102351
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • 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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