Collusion among many firms: the disciplinary power of targeted punishment

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_CFEFD2E58D00
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Collusion among many firms: the disciplinary power of targeted punishment
Journal
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Author(s)
Roux C., Thöni C.
ISSN
0167-2681
1879-1751 (online)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2015
Volume
116
Pages
83-93
Language
english
Notes
RouxThoni2015JEBO
Abstract
We explore targeted punishment as an explanation for collusion among many firms. We run a series of Cournot oligopoly experiments with and without the possibility of targeting punishment at specific market participants. In markets with two, four, six, and eight firms, we analyze to what extent targeted punishment helps firms to restrict output. We find that targeted punishment leads to more collusion across all markets. Furthermore, beyond two firms, this collusive effect turns out to be even stronger in markets with more competitors, suggesting a reversal of the conventional wisdom that collusion is easier with fewer firms.
Keywords
Cournot oligopoly, Experiments, Collusion, Targeted punishment
Web of science
Create date
08/09/2016 14:09
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:50
Usage data