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Free entry oligopoly, Cournot, Bertrand and relative profit maximization

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  • Satoh, Atsuhiro
  • Tanaka, Yasuhito

Abstract

We study a symmetric free entry oligopoly in which firms produce differentiated goods so as to maximize their relative profits. The relative profit of each firm is the difference between its profit and the average of the profits of other firms. We show that whether firms determine their outputs or prices, the equilibrium price when firms maximize their relative profits is lower than the equilibrium price when firms maximize their absolute profits, but the equilibrium number of firms under relative profit maximization is smaller than the equilibrium number of firms under absolute profit maximization. This is because each firm is more aggressive and produces larger output under relative profit maximization than under absolute profit maximization.

Suggested Citation

  • Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2015. "Free entry oligopoly, Cournot, Bertrand and relative profit maximization," MPRA Paper 64081, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:64081
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    4. Yasuhito Tanaka, 2013. "Equivalance of Cournot and Bertrand equilibria in differentiated duopoly under relative profit maximization with linear demand," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(2), pages 1479-1486.
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    7. Yasuhito Tanaka, 2013. "Irrelevance of the choice of strategic variables in duopoly under relative profit maximization," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 2(2), pages 75-83.
    8. Schaffer, Mark E., 1989. "Are profit-maximisers the best survivors? : A Darwinian model of economic natural selection," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 29-45, August.
    9. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2014. "Relative profit maximization in asymmetric oligopoly: Cournot and Bertrand equilibria," MPRA Paper 55883, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Yuanzhu Lu, 2011. "The Relative-Profit-Maximization Objective Of Private Firms And Endogenous Timing In A Mixed Oligopoly," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 56(02), pages 203-213.
    11. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2014. "Relative profit maximization and equivalence of Cournot and Bertrand equilibria in asymmetric duopoly," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 34(2), pages 819-827.
    12. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2013. "Relative profit maximization and Bertrand equilibrium with quadratic cost functions," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 2(3), pages 134-139.
    13. Satoh, Atsuhiro & Tanaka, Yasuhito, 2014. "Relative profit maximization and equivalence of Cournot and Bertrand equilibria in an asymmetric differentiated duopoly," MPRA Paper 55895, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Atsuhiro Satoh & Yasuhito Tanaka, 2014. "Relative Profit Maximization in Duopoly: Difference or Ratio," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 13(2), pages 127-141, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    free entry; oligopoly; relative profit maximization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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