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Kinked demand curve theory
This was developed in the late 1930s by the American Paul Sweezy. The theory aims to explain the price rigidity that is often found in oligopolistic markets. It assumes that if an oligopolist raises its price its rival will not follow suit, as keeping their prices constant will lead to an increase in market share. The firm that increased its price will find that revenue falls by a proportionately large amount, making this part of the demand curve relatively elastic (flatter).
Conversely if an oligopolist lowers its price, its rivals will be forced to follow suit to prevent a loss of market share. Lowering price will lead to a very small change in revenue, making this part of the demand curve relatively inelastic (steeper).
The firm then has no incentive to change its price, as it will lead to a decrease
in the firm's revenue. This causes the demand curve to kink around the present market price. Prices will further stabilize as the firm will absorb changes in its costs as can be seen in the diagram below. The marginal revenue jumps (vertical discontinuity) at the quantity where the demand curve kinks, the marginal cost could change greatly - e.g., MC1 to MC2 (between prices a and b)- and the profit maximizing level of output remains the same.
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What is the price elasticity in a oligopoly?
in oligopoly what is the nature of price elasticity
Sony Ericsson is oligopoly firm?
yes
Why the demand curve in an oligopoly is kinked?
because oligopolistic firms are unlikely to benefit from a reduction in prices, it is something known as game theory, each firm is attempting to get the edge over their competitor, but not with prices. This is because if one firm reduces their prices, it is highly likely that the others will do the same and in the end all parties finish with the same market share as when the price war erupted; but because they reduced prices, profit is lost, with no benefit for the firm
Price and output determination under oligopoly?
Explain how price and output decision are taken under conditions of oligopoly.
Price wars are prima facie evidence of what economic market?
Oligopoly
What is the price elasticity in a oligopoly?
in oligopoly what is the nature of price elasticity
Sony Ericsson is oligopoly firm?
yes
Why the demand curve in an oligopoly is kinked?
because oligopolistic firms are unlikely to benefit from a reduction in prices, it is something known as game theory, each firm is attempting to get the edge over their competitor, but not with prices. This is because if one firm reduces their prices, it is highly likely that the others will do the same and in the end all parties finish with the same market share as when the price war erupted; but because they reduced prices, profit is lost, with no benefit for the firm
Price and output determination under oligopoly?
Explain how price and output decision are taken under conditions of oligopoly.
Price wars are prima facie evidence of what economic market?
Oligopoly
What are the types of oligopoly?
Oligopoly is a market from where large numbers of buyers contact few sellers for the purpose of buying and selling things. The different types are a pure oligopoly, a differentiated oligopoly, a collusive oligopoly, and a non-collusive oligopoly.
What are characteristics of oligopoly?
An oligopoly is characterized by a market with a few firms having a negligible effect on price.
What is the difference between overt and covert collusion's?
Overt collusion is where firms in an oligopoly formally set a price together, (usually high to maximize profits). This is usually done in secret because its illegal in most countries, but the main characteristic is that it is formal. I believe overt collusion is where on firm in an oligopoly reacts to a price drop in another firms from that oligopoly. For instance a competing firm drops there price from £1 to 50p, the other firms will have to otherwise they will lose profits, allthoufh this is bad for all firms because everybody loses potential profits. Am still researching this though so not 100% on overt collusion.
Difference between collusive and non-collusive oligopoly?
If in an oligopoly market, the firms compete with each other, it is called a non-collusive, or non-cooperative oligopoly. If the firm cooperate with each other in determining price or output or both, it is called collusive oligopoly, or cooperative oligopoly. Collusive oligopoly exists when the firms in an Oligopolistic market charge the same prices for their products, in affect acting as a monopoly but dividing any profits that they make. Non collusive oligopoly exists when the firms in an oligopoly do not collude and so have to be very aware of the reactions of other firms when making price decisions.
How is an oligopoly different from monopoly?
AR=MRnormal profits in the long runlarge number of sellersfree entry and excit ,as there are no barriersthe seller is only the price takerperfectly elasticeach firm is a part of the industry
Which market structure is the demand curve of the market represented by the demand curve of the firm?
oligopoly
Define price rigidity?
Price Rigidity is a condition where one follows a decrease in price but not an increase in price. This is due to the ability of other firms to match prices with it and it often leads to a kinked demand curve.
