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Concentration-Based Merger Tests and Vertical Market Structure

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  • Joshua S. Gans

Abstract

In this article I derive a concentration measure for markets with multiple vertical segments. I derive the measure using a model of vertical contracting in which upstream and downstream firms bargain bilaterally and may be integrated. The resulting vertical Hirschman-Herfindahl index provides a measure of the degree of distortion in the vertical chain as a result of both the horizontal concentration in a segment and the degree of its vertical integration. This measure distinguishes between the differing competitive impacts of upstream and downstream competition, establishes the relative size of integrated firms in each segment, and provides a quantitative threshold test for vertical mergers.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua S. Gans, 2007. "Concentration-Based Merger Tests and Vertical Market Structure," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 50(4), pages 661-681.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlawec:v:50:y:2007:p:661-681
    DOI: 10.1086/519819
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Bernat Mallén Alberdi, 2023. ""The Effect of Competition on Language Diversity in the Movie-Theatre Industry"," IREA Working Papers 202305, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised May 2023.
    3. Shi, Guanming & Chavas, Jean-Paul, 2011. "The Effects of Vertical Organization on the Pricing of Differentiated Products," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 36(3), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Bernat Mallén, 2023. "“The Effect of Competition on Language Diversity in the Movie-Theatre Industry”," AQR Working Papers 202302, University of Barcelona, Regional Quantitative Analysis Group, revised May 2023.
    5. Guanming Shi & Kyle W. Stiegert & Jean P. Chavas, 2011. "An analysis of bundle pricing in horizontal and vertical markets: The case of the U.S. cottonseed market," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 42, pages 77-88, November.
    6. Arijit Mukherjee & Udo Broll & Soma Mukherjee, 2009. "The welfare effects of entry: the role of the input market," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 98(3), pages 189-201, December.
    7. Herbert Hovenkamp, 2011. "Harm to Competition Under the 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 39(1), pages 3-18, August.
    8. Shi, Guanming & Stiegert, Kyle & Chavas, Jean Paul, 2010. "An Analysis of Pricing in Horizontal and Vertical Markets: The Case of the Cottonseed Market," Working Papers 201439, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Food System Research Group.
    9. Shi, Guanming & Chavas, Jean-Paul, 2009. "On Pricing and Vertical Organization of Differentiated Products: The Case of Soybean Seed Industry," 2009 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 49186, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    10. Shi, Guanming & Stiegert, Kyle & Chavas, Jean-Paul, 2009. "An Analysis of Bundle Pricing in Horizontal and Vertical Markets: The Case of the U.S. Cottonseed Market," Staff Paper Series 543, University of Wisconsin, Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    11. Simon Loertscher & Markus Reisinger, 2014. "Market structure and the competitive effects of vertical integration," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 45(3), pages 471-494, September.
    12. Kenneth Hendricks & R. Preston Mcafee, 2010. "A Theory Of Bilateral Oligopoly," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(2), pages 391-414, April.
    13. Roman Inderst & Tommaso Valletti, 2009. "Indirect versus Direct Constraints in Markets with Vertical Integration," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 111(3), pages 527-546, September.
    14. Shi, Guanming & Chavas, Jean-Paul, 2009. "On Pricing and Vertical Organization of Differentiated Products," Staff Paper Series 535, University of Wisconsin, Agricultural and Applied Economics.

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