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The Cournot-Bertrand Profit Differential : A Reversal Result In A Differentiated Duopoly With Wage Bargaining

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  • López, Mónica Correa

    (University of Warwick)

  • Nayor, Robin A.

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

This paper compares Cournot and Bertrand equilibria in a downstream differentiated duopoly in which the input price (wage) paid by each downstream firm is the outcome of a strategic bargain with its upstream supplier (labour union). We show that the standard result that Cournot equilibrium profits exceed those under Bertrand competition - when the differentiated duopoly game is played in imperfect substitutes - is reversible. Whether equilibrium profits are higher under Cournot or Bertrand competition is shown to depend upon the nature of the upstream agents’ preferences, on the distribution of bargaining power over the input price and on the degree of product market differentiation. We find that the standard result holds unless unions are both powerful and place considerable weight on the wage argument in their utility function. One implication of this is that if the upstream agents are profit-maximising firms, then the standard result will obtain.

Suggested Citation

  • López, Mónica Correa & Nayor, Robin A., 2002. "The Cournot-Bertrand Profit Differential : A Reversal Result In A Differentiated Duopoly With Wage Bargaining," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 631, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Patrice CASSAGNARD & Tendai ESPINOSA, 2019. "From Boycott to Buycott: Is Activism from the North Good for the South?," Working Papers 2019-2020_3, CATT - UPPA - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, revised Dec 2019.
    3. Patrice Cassagnard & Tendai Espinosa, 2019. "From Boycott to Buycott: Is Activism from the North Good for the South?," Working Papers hal-02623685, HAL.
    4. Patrice Cassagnard & Tendai Espinosa, 2019. "From Boycott to Buycott: Is Activism from the North Good for the South?," Working papers of CATT hal-02623685, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    differentiated duopoly ; wage bargaining ; Cournot ; Bertrand.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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