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Entry Games and Free Entry Equilibria

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  • Michele Polo

Abstract

This Chapter reviews the theoretical liteature on entry games and free entry equilibria. We show that a wide range of symmetric oligopoly models share common comparative statics properties. Individual profits and quantities decrease in the number of firms, and tend to competitive or monopolistic competitive equilibria when the number of firms increases indefinitely. The maximum number of firms sustainable in a symmetric long run equilibrium depends on technology (economies of scale), preferences (market size) and strategies (toughness of price competition). On the normative side, in homogeneous product markets the business stealing effect drives the result of excessive entry, whereas adding product differentiation and the utillity from variety may revert the result. We then consider asymmetric free entry equilibria that exploit the aggregative nature of many oligopoly models. Finally, we discuss endogenous sunk costs and persistent concentration and frictionless entry and contestable markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Polo, 2016. "Entry Games and Free Entry Equilibria," IEFE Working Papers 87, IEFE, Center for Research on Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcu:iefewp:iefewp87
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    2. Alfaro, Martin & Lander, David, 2021. "Restricting entry without aggressive pricing," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(4), pages 305-319.
    3. Roy, Sunanda & Singh, Rajesh & Weninger, Quinn, 2024. "Entry under placement uncertainty," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 157-196.

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    JEL classification:

    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection

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