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Horizontal Mergers in the Paper Industry

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  • Pesendorfer, Martin

Abstract

I examine mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. paper and paperboard industry, which experienced a wave of horizontal mergers during the mid-1980s. I describe how the mergers affected investment decisions, costs, and consumers, finding that merged firms lose market share and are more likely to scrap capacity subsequent to an acquisition. I estimate a cost function for individual firms based on an investment model, finding that the efficiency of the majority of acquiring firms increases following an acquisition. Using the estimated cost function, I quantify welfare effects and find evidence of total welfare increases in some paper product categories as a result of the mergers. Copyright 2003 by the RAND Corporation.

Suggested Citation

  • Pesendorfer, Martin, 2003. "Horizontal Mergers in the Paper Industry," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 34(3), pages 495-515, Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:rje:randje:v:34:y:2003:i:3:p:495-515
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