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On the existence of Bayesian Cournot equilibrium

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  • Einy, Ezra
  • Haimanko, Ori
  • Shitovitz, Benyamin

Abstract

We show that even in very simple oligopolies with differential information a (Bayesian) Cournot equilibrium in pure strategies may not exist, or be unique. However, we find sufficient conditions for existence, and for uniqueness, of Cournot equilibrium in a certain class of industries. More general results arise when negative prices are allowed.

Suggested Citation

  • Einy, Ezra & Haimanko, Ori & Shitovitz, Benyamin, 2007. "On the existence of Bayesian Cournot equilibrium," UC3M Working papers. Economics we070603, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    • Handle: RePEc:cte:werepe:we070603
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    1. Esther Gal-or, 1986. "Information Transmission—Cournot and Bertrand Equilibria," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 53(1), pages 85-92.
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    9. Shlomit Hon‐Snir & Benyamin Shitovitz & Menahem Spiegel, 2010. "Bayesian Equilibrium in a Public Good Economy," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 12(2), pages 387-398, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Sinopoli & Christopher Künstler & Claudia Meroni & Carlos Pimienta, 2023. "Poisson–Cournot games," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 75(3), pages 803-840, April.
      • Francesco De Sinopoli & Christopher Kunstler & Claudia Meroni & Carlos Pimienta, 2020. "Poisson-Cournot Games," Discussion Papers 2020-07, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    2. Richter, Jan, 2013. "Incomplete Information in Cournot Oligopoly: The Case of Unknown Production Capacities," EWI Working Papers 2013-1, Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI).
    3. Richter, Jan & Viehmann, Johannes, 2014. "The value of information in explicit cross-border capacity auction regimes in electricity markets," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 74-84.
    4. R. R. Routledge & R. A. Edwards, 2020. "Ambiguity and price competition," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 88(2), pages 231-256, March.
    5. Einy, Ezra & Haimanko, Ori & Moreno, Diego & Shitovitz, Benyamin, 2010. "On the existence of Bayesian Cournot equilibrium," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 77-94, January.
    6. Oriol Carbonell-Nicolau & Richard P. McLean, 2018. "On the Existence of Nash Equilibrium in Bayesian Games," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 43(2), pages 100-129, February.
    7. Arsen Palestini & Ilaria Poggio, 2015. "A Bayesian potential game to illustrate heterogeneity in cost/benefit characteristics," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 62(1), pages 23-39, March.
    8. Einy, Ezra & Haimanko, Ori, 2020. "Equilibrium existence in games with a concave Bayesian potential," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 288-294.
    9. Cabolis, C. & Manasakis, C., 2016. "R&D investments fostering horizontal mergers," UC3M Working papers. Economics 23280, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    10. Deb, Joyee & Kalai, Ehud, 2015. "Stability in large Bayesian games with heterogeneous players," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 1041-1055.
    11. Eliaz, Kfir & Forges, Françoise, 2015. "Information disclosure to Cournot duopolists," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 167-170.
    12. Ali Kakhbod & Asuman Ozdaglar & Ian Schneider, 2018. "Selling Wind," Papers 1812.11420, arXiv.org.
    13. Tseng, Chin-Yi & Lee, Chia-Yen & Wang, Qunwei & Wu, Changsong, 2022. "Data envelopment analysis and stochastic equilibrium analysis for market power investigation in a bi-level market," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    14. Shlomit Hon‐Snir & Benyamin Shitovitz & Menahem Spiegel, 2010. "Bayesian Equilibrium in a Public Good Economy," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 12(2), pages 387-398, April.
    15. Routledge, Robert R., 2010. "Bertrand competition with cost uncertainty," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 107(3), pages 356-359, June.
    16. Cabolis, C. & Manasakis, C. & Moreno, D. & Petrakis, E., 2021. "The interactions of R&D investments and horizontal mergers," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 507-534.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Oligopoly;

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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