Market structure and the competitive effects of vertical integration

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2014
Volume: 45
Issue: 3
Pages: 471-494

Authors (2)

Simon Loertscher (University of Melbourne) Markus Reisinger (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

type="main"> <p>We analyze the competitive effects of backward vertical integration when firms exert market power upstream and compete in quantities downstream. Contrasting with previous literature, a small degree of vertical integration is always procompetitive because efficiency gains dominate foreclosure effects, and vertical integration even to full foreclosure can be procompetitive. Interestingly, vertical integration is more likely to be procompetitive if the industry is otherwise more concentrated. Extensions analyze welfare effects of integration and the incentives to integrate. Our analysis suggests that antitrust authorities should be wary of vertical integration when the integrating firm faces many competitors and should be permissive otherwise.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:45:y:2014:i:3:p:471-494
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25