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How (not) to measure competition

Author

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  • van Ours, Jan C.
  • Boone, Jan
  • van der Wiel, Henry

Abstract

We introduce a new measure of competition: the elasticity of a firm's profits with respect to its cost level. A higher value of this profit elasticity (PE) signals more intense competition. Using firm-level data we compare PE with the most popular competition measures such as the price cost margin (PCM). We show that PE and PCM are highly correlated on average. However, PCM tends to misrepresent the development of competition over time in markets with few firms and high concentration, i.e. in markets with high policy relevance. So, just when it is needed the most PCM fails whereas PE does not. From this we conclude that PE is a more reliable measure of competition.

Suggested Citation

  • van Ours, Jan C. & Boone, Jan & van der Wiel, Henry, 2007. "How (not) to measure competition," CEPR Discussion Papers 6275, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6275
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Competition; Concentration; Measures of competition; Price cost margin; Profit elasticity; Profits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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