Definition of Concentration Ratios The percentage of market share taken up by the largest firms. It could be a 3 firm concentration ratio (market share of 3 biggest) or a 5 firm concentration ratio. Concentration ratios are used to determine the market structure and competitiveness of the market. For example, an oligopoly is defined when …
The market share of leading supermarkets, in the UK grocery market industry. Market share 2014 – see: Battle for UK Supermarket market share Blog from 2012 The UK supermarket industry often makes a popular data response question. The five firm concentration ratio for the industry is 66% – a case of an oligopoly. Tesco – …
A duopoly is a market structure dominated by two firms. A pure duopoly is a market where there are just two firms. But, in reality, most duopolies are markets where the two biggest firms control over 70% of the market share. Characteristics of duopoly Strong barriers to entry in the market, e.g. brand loyalty (Coca-cola …
Microeconomic topics Consumer and producer surplus Demand Substitute goods Complements Economies of scale Elasticity Price elasticity of demand Cross elasticity of demand Income elasticity of demand Price elasticity of supply Market equilibrium Production possibility frontiers Positive and normative statements Opportunity cost Specialisation and division of labour Market failure Positive externalities – the benefit to a …
Perfect competition – Many firms, freedom of entry, homogeneous product, normal profit. Monopoly – One firm dominates the market, barriers to entry, possibly supernormal profit. Monopoly diagram Oligopoly – An industry dominated by a few firms, e.g. 5 firm concentration ratio of > 50%. Interdependence of firms Oligopoly diagram Collusive behaviour – firms seek to …
Definition of Bertrand Competition A market structure where it is assumed that there are two firms, who both assume the other firm will keep prices unchanged. Therefore, each firm has an incentive to cut prices, but this actually leads to a price war. If products are perfect substitutes this assumes the price will be driven …
Microeconomics is concerned with the economic decisions and actions of individuals and firms. Within the broad church of microeconomics, there are different theories that emphasise certain assumptions and expectations of economic behaviour. The most important theory is neo-classical theory, which places emphasis on free-markets and the assumption individuals are rational and seek to maximise utility. …
An assumption in classical economics is that firms seek to maximise profits. Profit = Total Revenue (TR) – Total Costs (TC). Therefore, profit maximisation occurs at the biggest gap between total revenue and total costs. A firm can maximise profits if it produces at an output where marginal revenue (MR) = marginal cost (MC) Diagram …