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Downstream and upstream oligopolies when retailer’s effort matters

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  • Franz Wirl

Abstract

This paper investigates the different terms of strategic interactions (non-cooperative, simultaneous move): wholesale versus retail pricing—between Bertrand competing retailers and an upstream oligopoly. The crucial extension is that retailers can play a significant role and this can turn conventional wisdom upside down, e.g.: retail competition need not benefit the upstream firms and wholesale pricing can dominate retail pricing in spite of double marginalization because of the incentives it provides to retailers. In addition, the consequences are investigated of differentiating both pricing instruments either at the downstream (this is motivated by Apple’s entry into the ebook market) or at the upstream level. Copyright Springer-Verlag Wien 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Franz Wirl, 2015. "Downstream and upstream oligopolies when retailer’s effort matters," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 99-127, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jeczfn:v:116:y:2015:i:2:p:99-127
    DOI: 10.1007/s00712-015-0443-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Youping Li & Jie Shuai, 2017. "Vertical separation with location–price competition," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 121(3), pages 255-266, July.
    2. Liu, Qian & Wang, Leonard F.S. & Chen, Charlie L., 2019. "Upstream privatization in mixed markets with retailer's efforts," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 338-345.
    3. Maruyama, Masayoshi & Zennyo, Yusuke, 2020. "Platform most-favored-customer clauses and investment incentives," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    4. Chia-Hung Sun & Chorng-Jian Liu, 2017. "The combination of two tragedies: commons and anticommons tragedies," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 122(1), pages 29-43, September.
    5. Chen, Charlie L. & Liu, Qian & Li, Jie & Wang, Leonard F.S., 2016. "Corporate social responsibility and downstream price competition with retailer's effort," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 36-54.
    6. Fanti, Luciano & Buccella, Domenico, 2018. "A note on the social responsibility in a bilateral monopoly," MPRA Paper 88162, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Upstream–downstream; Retail or wholesale pricing; Promotion by retailers; Apple; L11; L13; L81;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce

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