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A theoretical approach to market definition analysis

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  • Javier Elizalde

Abstract

This work performs a theoretical approach to market definition analysis. The conditions a test must satisfy are selected in order to define the relevant market according to the jurisdictions of the United States and the European Union as most tests proposed by economists tend not to satisfy all the required conditions. I use two models of horizontal product differentiation to illustrate the nature of the tests that can be used under each jurisdiction. The main conclusion of the paper is that the empirical tests for market definition which are valid in the current legislations in the United States and the European Union must be performed using a different approach which may yield different relevant markets. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Elizalde, 2012. "A theoretical approach to market definition analysis," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 34(3), pages 449-475, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:34:y:2012:i:3:p:449-475
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-011-9231-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scheffman, David T & Spiller, Pablo T, 1987. "Geographic Market Definition under the U.S. Department of Justice Merger Guidelines," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 30(1), pages 123-147, April.
    2. Stigler, George J & Sherwin, Robert A, 1985. "The Extent of the Market," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 28(3), pages 555-585, October.
      • Stigler, George J. & Sherwin, Robert A., 1983. "The Extent of the Market," Working Papers 31, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State.
    3. Javier Elizalde, 2013. "Market definition with differentiated products: a spatial competition application," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 471-521, December.
    4. Steven C. Salop, 1979. "Monopolistic Competition with Outside Goods," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 10(1), pages 141-156, Spring.
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    8. Uri, Noel D & Rifkin, Edward J, 1985. "Geographic Markets, Causality and Railroad Deregulation," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 67(3), pages 422-428, August.
    9. Klein, Chris & Rifkin, Edward J. & Uri, Noel D., 1985. "A note on defining geographic markets," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 109-119, February.
    10. Mario Forni, 2004. "Using Stationarity Tests in Antitrust Market Definition," American Law and Economics Review, Oxford University Press, vol. 6(2), pages 441-464.
    11. Neven, Damien, 1985. "Two Stage (Perfect) Equilibrium in Hotelling's Model," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 317-325, March.
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    14. Slade, Margaret E, 1986. "Exogeneity Tests of Market Boundaries Applied to Petroleum Products," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(3), pages 291-303, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thierry Blayac & Patrice Bougette & Christian Montet, 2014. "How consumer information curtails market power in the funeral industry," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 421-437, June.
    2. repec:inr:wpaper:248291 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Javier Elizalde, 2013. "Market definition with differentiated products: a spatial competition application," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 471-521, December.
    4. repec:inr:wpaper:248290 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Vladimír Hajko & Jaroslav Bil, 2013. "The Relevant Markets for Meat Production and Processing in the Czech Republic: Analysis of the Price Movements," Czech Economic Review, Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Economic Studies, vol. 7(3), pages 178-197, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Antitrust analysis; Horizontal product differentiation; Market definition; Oligopolistic competition; D43; K21; L11; L13; L41;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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