Cartel Pricing Dynamics with Cost Variability and Endogenous Buyer Detection
Loading...
Penn collection
Business Economics and Public Policy Papers
Degree type
Discipline
Subject
Business
Economics
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Economics
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
Distributor
Related resources
Author
Harrington, Joseph E
Chen, Joe
Contributor
Abstract
This paper characterizes collusive pricing patterns when buyers may detect the presence of a cartel. Buyers are assumed to become suspicious when observed prices are anomalous. We find that the cartel price path is comprised of two phases. During the transitional phase, price is generally rising and relatively unresponsive to cost shocks. During the stationary phase, price responds to cost but is much less sensitive than under non-collusion or simple monopoly; a low price variance may then be a collusive marker. Compared to when firms do not collude, cost shocks take a longer time to pass-through to price.
Advisor
Date Range for Data Collection (Start Date)
Date Range for Data Collection (End Date)
Digital Object Identifier
Series name and number
Publication date
2006-11-01
Journal title
International Journal of Industrial Organization