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Measuring market power when firms price discriminate

Author

Listed:
  • Levent Kutlu

    (Antalya International University
    Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Robin C. Sickles

    (Rice University)

Abstract

We propose conduct parameter-based market power measures within a model of price discrimination, extending work by Hazledine (Econ Lett 93:413–420, 2006) and Kutlu (Econ Lett 117:540–543, 2012) to certain forms of second-degree price discrimination. We use our model to estimate the market power of US airlines in a price discrimination environment. We find that a slightly modified version of our original theoretical measure is positively related to market concentration. Moreover, on average, market power for high-end segment is greater than that of low-end segment.

Suggested Citation

  • Levent Kutlu & Robin C. Sickles, 2017. "Measuring market power when firms price discriminate," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 287-305, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:53:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s00181-017-1251-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-017-1251-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kutlu, Levent & Sickles, Robin & Tsionas, Mike G., 2019. "Heterogeneous Decision-Making and Market Power," Working Papers 19-008, Rice University, Department of Economics.
    2. Levent Kutlu & Ran Wang, 2018. "Estimation of cost efficiency without cost data," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 49(2), pages 137-151, June.
    3. Yilmazkuday, Hakan, 2021. "Profit margins in U.S. domestic airline routes," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 245-251.
    4. Levent Kutlu & Robin C. Sickles & Mike G. Tsionas & Emmanuel Mamatzakis, 2022. "Heterogeneous decision-making and market power: an application to Eurozone banks," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 63(6), pages 3061-3092, December.
    5. Levent Kutlu, 2017. "A conduct parameter model of price discrimination," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 64(5), pages 530-536, November.
    6. Mustafa U. Karakaplan & Levent Kutlu, 2019. "Estimating market power using a composed error model," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 66(4), pages 489-510, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price discrimination; Market power; Conduct parameter;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General
    • L93 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Air Transportation

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