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Endogenous competition with an integrated public utility firm under an output subsidy policy

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  • Xu, Lili
  • Lee, Sang-Ho

Abstract

In this study, we consider a mixed downstream market wherein a vertically integrated public utility firm competes with a private firm that purchases inputs from an upstream firm under output subsidies. We construct an endogenous competition mode game and find that not only do pure Cournot and Bertrand competitions appear as equilibria, but a hybrid Bertrand-Cournot competition can also materialize depending on the subsidy rate. However, Cournot competition appears as a unique equilibrium in the private market irrespective of subsidy rate. We demonstrate that privatization, accompanied by subsidization that shifts firms’ coordination from a hybrid Bertrand-Cournot competition to a Cournot competition, could improve welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Lili & Lee, Sang-Ho, 2024. "Endogenous competition with an integrated public utility firm under an output subsidy policy," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:87:y:2024:i:c:s0957178724000134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2024.101720
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Endogenous competition mode game; Mixed downstream market; Output subsidy; Privatization policy; Vertically integrated public utility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L33 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Comparison of Public and Private Enterprise and Nonprofit Institutions; Privatization; Contracting Out

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