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Fostering collusion through action revision in duopolies

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  • Roy, Nilanjan

Abstract

We design an experiment to study the implications of allowing players to revise their actions in a Cournot duopoly game. Payoffs are determined only by the quantities selected at the end in a real-time revision game. On the other hand, in a stochastic revision game, opportunities to adjust quantities arrive randomly, and the quantities selected at the last revision opportunity are implemented. Contrasting results emerge: while real-time revision results in choices that are more competitive than the static Cournot-Nash, significantly lower quantities are implemented when revisions are stochastic. The results hold for different arrival rates of revision opportunities. Our findings demonstrate that the ability to revise actions can sustain partial cooperation. Although quantity adjustment choices display substantial heterogeneity, the main implication of the theory of revision games put forth by Kamada and Kandori (2020) is supported.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy, Nilanjan, 2023. "Fostering collusion through action revision in duopolies," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:208:y:2023:i:c:s0022053123000078
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2023.105611
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Action revision; Cournot duopoly; Real-time revision; Stochastic revision; Imitation; Best response;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • 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

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