Oligopoly Defining and measuring oligopoly An oligopoly is a in which a few firms dominate. When a market is shared between a few firms, it is said to be highly concentrated. Although only a few firms dominate, it is possible that many small firms may also operate in the market. For example, major airlines like (BA) and operate their routes with only a few close competitors, but there are also many small airlines catering for the holidaymaker or offering specialist services. Key characteristics The main characteristics of operating in a market with few close rivals include: Interdependence Firms that are interdependent cannot act independently of each other. A firm operating in a market with just a few competitors must take the potential reaction of its closest rivals into account when making its own decisions. For example, if a petrol retailer like Texaco wishes to increase its market share by reducing price, it must take into account the possibility that close rivals, such as Shell and BP, may reduce their price in retaliation. An understanding of and the helps appreciate the concept of interdependence. Strategy Strategy is extremely important to that are interdependent. Because firms cannot act independently, they must anticipate the likely response of a rival to any given change in their price, or their non-price activity. In other words, they need to plan, and work out a range of possible options based on how they think rivals might react. Oligopolists have to make critical strategic decisions, such as: Whether to compete with rivals, or collude with them. Whether to raise or lower price, or keep price constant.
Oligopoly Defining and measuring oligopoly An oligopoly is a in which a few firms dominate. When a market is shared between a few firms, it is said to be highly concentrated. Although only a few firms dominate, it is possible that many small firms may also operate in the market. For example, major airlines like (BA) and operate their routes with only a few close competitors, but there are also many small airlines catering for the holidaymaker or offering specialist services. Key characteristics The main characteristics of operating in a market with few close rivals include: Interdependence Firms that are interdependent cannot act independently of each other. A firm operating in a market with just a few competitors must take the potential reaction of its closest rivals into account when making its own decisions. For example, if a petrol retailer like Texaco wishes to increase its market share by reducing price, it must take into account the possibility that close rivals, such as Shell and BP, may reduce their price in retaliation. An understanding of and the helps appreciate the concept of interdependence. Strategy Strategy is extremely important to that are interdependent. Because firms cannot act independently, they must anticipate the likely response of a rival to any given change in their price, or their non-price activity. In other words, they need to plan, and work out a range of possible options based on how they think rivals might react. Oligopolists have to make critical strategic decisions, such as: Whether to compete with rivals, or collude with them. Whether to raise or lower price, or keep price constant.
Unit-1-Business-Environment-Lecture-Note-Eight.docx