Collective dominance and oligopoly markets: industrial organization theory approaches

Abstract

This paper studies the prerequisites for the emergence of a firm’s market power using basic models of oligopoly. The significance of the study is related to identifying theoretical prerequisites that are essential for modifying the collective dominance institution, which can be considered a legal analogue of the economic concept of oligopoly. The objective of the paper is to identify the elements associated with the emergence of market power under the oligopoly model, allowing to shape theoretical basis for the collective dominance concept application. Multiple objectives have to be met before the said objective can be achieved: 1) highlighting the relevant signs of interaction between oligopolistic firms; 2) identifying limitations for the application of collective dominance concept in practice. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the formation of theoretical basis for the legal concept of collective dominance in Russia. The subject of the paper is the relationship between the concept of collective dominance in Russia and the basic oligopoly models. The study is part of a complex project which represents a RANEPA state research assignment and aims at exploring the effects of the collective dominance concept application in Russia. The study is based on industrial organization methods. The main findings of the study consist of the following: highlighting the aspects associated with market power emergence in oligopoly models (small number of participants, high entry costs, significant goods differentiation, high switching costs, full information for competitors and low availability of information for consumers); reflecting the prerequisites for the market power emergence under oligopoly in the Russian version of the collective dominance concept; stating the importance of a comprehensive application of the prerequisites under consideration through the analysis of oligopoly models. The conclusions of the research will used to design the roadmap for further reforms of the Russian collective dominance concept

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