Mergers, coordinated effects and efficiency in the Portuguese non-life insurance industry

B-Tier
Journal: International Journal of Industrial Organization
Year: 2013
Volume: 31
Issue: 5
Pages: 554-568

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We evaluate the impact on market power and efficiency of a series of mergers on three Portuguese non-life insurance markets. We specify and estimate, with a panel of firm-level data, a structural model which includes: preferences, technology, and a market equilibrium condition. Firms' demand curves are not very elastic. Firms' technologies exhibit scale and scope economies and high cost efficiency scores. We find that, for the period following the mergers, there is no evidence of: (i) an increase in market power through coordinated behavior, or (ii) changes in cost efficiency levels. In addition, social welfare increased.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:indorg:v:31:y:2013:i:5:p:554-568
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24