Merger Review for Markets with Buyer Power

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2019
Volume: 127
Issue: 6
Pages: 2967 - 3017

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We analyze the competitive effects of mergers in markets with buyer power. Using mechanism design arguments, we show that without cost synergies, mergers harm buyers, regardless of buyer power. However, buyer power mitigates the harm to a buyer from a merger of symmetric suppliers. With buyer power, a merger increases incentives for entry, increases investment incentives for rivals, and can increase investment incentives for merging parties. Because buyer power reduces the profitability of a merger, it increases the profitability of perfect collusion relative to a merger. Cost synergies can eliminate merger harm but also render otherwise profitable mergers unprofitable.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/702173
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25