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Demand-driven integration and divorcement policy

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  • Legros, Patrick
  • Newman, Andrew F.

Abstract

Traditionally, vertical integration has concerned industrial economists only insofar as it affects market outcomes, particularly prices. This paper considers reverse causality, from prices – and more generally, from demand – to integration in a model of a dynamic oligopoly. If integration is costly but enhances productive efficiency, then a trend of rising prices and increasing integration could be due to growing demand, in which case a divorcement policy of forced divestiture may be counterproductive. Divorcement can only help consumers if it undermines collusion, but then there are dominating policies. We discuss well-known divorcement episodes in retail gasoline and British beer, as well as other evidence, in light of the model.

Suggested Citation

  • Legros, Patrick & Newman, Andrew F., 2017. "Demand-driven integration and divorcement policy," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 306-325.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:53:y:2017:i:c:p:306-325
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2016.04.007
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    Cited by:

    1. Stiebale, Joel & Vencappa, Dev, 2022. "Import competition and vertical integration: Evidence from India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    2. Schinkel, Maarten Pieter & Spiegel, Yossi, 2017. "Can collusion promote sustainable consumption and production?," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 371-398.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Theory of the firm; Reverse causality; Vertical integration; OIO; Regulation; Antitrust;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies
    • L5 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy

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