The Effect of Explicit Communication on pricing: Evidence from the Collapse of a Gasoline Cartel

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Industrial Economics
Year: 2014
Volume: 62
Issue: 2
Pages: 191-228

Authors (2)

Robert Clark (Queen's University) Jean-François Houde (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.018 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

type="main"> <p>We study the collapse of collusion in Québec's retail gasoline market following a Competition Bureau investigation, and show that it involved two empirical regularities: high margins, and asymmetric price adjustments. Using weekly, station-level prices we test whether collusion was successful, and whether asymmetric adjustments were part of the cartel's strategy. We do so in the markets targeted by the investigation, and in markets throughout the province with similar pre-collapse pricing (cyclical markets). Our results suggest that stations in both target and cyclical markets adjusted pricing following the announcement: margins fell (by 30%/15% in target/cyclical markets), and adjustments became more symmetric.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:jindec:v:62:y:2014:i:2:p:191-228
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25