Verified Document

Oligopoly Is A Market Structure Characterized By Essay

Oligopoly is a market structure characterized by a small number of relatively large firms that dominate an industry (Oligopoly, 2000). It can contain 2 to 20 firms that dominate it. As the number of firms increase, it becomes monopolistic competition where dominance is controlled by one firm. An oligopolistic firm is relatively large compared to the overall market, has a substantial degree of market control, and has significantly greater capital than a monopolistically competitive firm. Key features of an oligopolistic firm include relative size and extent of market control of interdependence among industry firms, the actions of one firm depends on and influences actions among others, and it tends to be a prime source of innovation that promotes technological advances and economic growth. The three major characteristics are a small number of large firms, identical or differentiated products, and barriers to entry where the market is controlled through barriers to entry, such as patents, resource ownership, government franchises, startup costs, brand name recognition, and decreasing average costs. Oligopolistic firms tend to be diverse and, at the same time, exhibit interdependence, rigid prices, nonprice competition, mergers, and collusion, where two or more firms secretly control prices, production, and other market aspects.

A concentration ratio indicates the relative size of firms in relation to the particular industry as a whole (Concentration Ratio). Low concentration...

High concentration ratios indicate low and medium levels of competition in the industry. When concentration ratios are nearing 100%, they show evidence of a true monopoly.
According to (Guitierrez, 2006), fluid milk (311511) has a four firm concentration ratio of 42.6%, total competition of 315 firms, and a 50 firm concentration of 83.7%. This shows a medium level of competition in the fluid milk industry. Women's and girl's cut and sew dresses (315233) has a four firm concentration ratio of 21.6%, total competition of 525 firms, and a 50 firm ratio of 69.6%. This shows a high degree of competition within the industry. Envelopes (322232) have a 51.1% four firm concentration ratio, 166 total firms in competition, with a 50 firm concentration ratio of 91.8%. This shows a low level of competition in the industry. Electronic computers (334111) have an 80.6% four firm concentration ratio, with 465 competing firms, and a 50 firm concentration ratio of 99%. This shows a low level of competition within the industry.

Fluid milk, envelopes, and electronic computers are all oligopolistic industries. The four firm concentration ratios in each industry indicate a few large firms control the industry markets with identical or differentiated products. Each industry shows a high degree of barriers to entry by patents, resource ownership, brand name recognition, etc. Elmhurst Dairy, Inc., Southeast…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Oligopoly. (2000). Retrieved from AmosWeb encyclopedia: http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=wpd&c=dsp&k=oligopoly

United States Fluid Milk Manufacturers. (2012, June 1). Retrieved from Manta: http;//www.mantna.com/mb_35_C101A02Y_000/milk_processing_pateurizing_homogenizing_bottling_

Concentration Ratio. (n.d.). Retrieved from Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/concentrationratio.aspx#axzz2H1xEIDvb

Guitierrez, C.S. (2006, May). Concentration Ratios: 2002. Retrieved from Department of Commerce: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www.concentration.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Market Structures: Market Structure Is Described As
Words: 1269 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Market Structures: Market structure is described as the institutional or organizational attributes and characteristics of a market. In most cases, the market structures mainly focus on the characteristics that impact the nature of pricing and competition through it's not important to major simply on the market share of the existing companies in a particular industry. Some of the most common market features include the number of companies, the nature of

Market Structure My Franchise Is
Words: 585 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

There is a near limitless supply of snack food available at any gas station, grocery store and convenience store in America, including packages pretzel products. With this many potential competitors, Auntie Anne's Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels must compete vigorously. The competitors range from very large, well-financed competitors with rock-solid brands to mom-and-pop operators and small businesses. Some sell products at a premium, while others are cost leaders. This is

Market Structure and Pricing Strategies
Words: 3091 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

market structures in detail and analyses the pricing strategies that the firms have to undertake when they operate in different regimes. The case study on Toyota is considered next, which indicates that firms competing in various structures does not only have to focus on price and quantity ceteris paribus, they also have to consider external and internal variables that have a bearing on these decisions. Introduction to Market Structures Market structures

Market Structures Table Compare the Four Market
Words: 1046 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Market Structures Table Compare the four market structures by filling in the table. Perfect competition Monopoly Monopolistic competition Oligopoly Example organization Hair Shampoo Companies Saudi Arabian Oil Cereal companies Cell phone companies Goods or services produced by the organization Hair products Oil and gas Breakfast cereals and comparable products Cell phones Barriers to entry Chemistry knowledge Raw materials few Technology Number of organizations Many Few Few Few Price elasticity of demand Is there a presence of economic profits? yes yes Based on the details available to you in the strategic plan, marketing overview, market surveys, and other

Market Model Patterns of Change
Words: 1403 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Over the last few years, the government has exerted more control on the insurance industry by controlling premium rates meaning the industry has become less competitive on pricing. In addition to this, through Obamacare, the government has set requirements for healthcare insurers which have significantly reduced their medical loss ratio Dinan 396. The second factor that affects the degree of competitiveness of the industry is the number of companies operating

Game Theory Does Explains Market
Words: 975 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

c) Mutual Interdependence: This assumption is based on the relationship between two or more individuals where one person depends upon the other for economic interest or benefit. When making a decision one has to consider the effect of his or her decision to the partner. This is common in the Perfect competition -- pure market phenomenon. With the assumptions above the game theory helps in developing a perfect competition among the

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now