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Inducing efficiency in oligopolistic markets with increasing returns to scale

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  • Sengupta, Abhijit
  • Tauman, Yair

Abstract

We consider a Cournot oligopoly market of firms possessing increasing returns to scale technologies (which may not be identical). It is shown that an external regulating agency can increase total social welfare without running a deficit by offering to subsidize one firm an amount which depends on the output level of that firm and the market price. The firms bid for this contract, the regulator collects the highest bid upfront and subsidizes the highest bidding firm. It is shown that there exists a subsidy schedule such that (i) the regulator breaks even, (ii) the subsidized firm obtains zero net profit and charges a price equal to its average cost, (iii) every other firm willingly exit the market and (iv) market price decreases, consumers are better off and total welfare improves.

Suggested Citation

  • Sengupta, Abhijit & Tauman, Yair, 2011. "Inducing efficiency in oligopolistic markets with increasing returns to scale," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 95-100, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:matsoc:v:62:y:2011:i:2:p:95-100
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    Cited by:

    1. Chun‐Hsiung Liao & Yair Tauman, 2004. "Implementation of the Socially Optimal Outcome," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 72(5), pages 618-625, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation

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