Consider a game in which we add an extra stage to the standard Bertrand model of price competition where firms choose a capacity level. Consider a market with two firms. In the first stage, each firm chooses a production capacity level q₁ at a cost of 0.25 per unit of capacity, where 0 ≤q¡ ≤ 1. In the second stage, the firms observed each other's capacity and respond by competing over prices. Once capacity is decided, the firms can produce up to that capacity with zero marginal cost. Each firm faces a demand of p = 1 Q and choose prices simultaneously in the second stage, and sales are distributed as in the standard Bertrand model. (a) Verify and explain that in the second stage, both firms will set a common price p₁ =p² =p* = 1- q1 – q2. (b) In the first stage, each firm simultaneously and independently chooses its capacity, q₁. Find the equilibrium capacities and price. (Hint: both firms anticipate equilibrium price p* in the second stage) (c) 2 Compare your results in (b) if both firms only compete in choosing q as in the standard Cournot model with the inverse market demand p = 1 - Q and identical marginal cost of 0.25 per unit of output.

Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:NICHOLSON
Chapter15: Imperfect Competition
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 15.5P
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Consider a game in which we add an extra stage to the standard Bertrand
model of price competition where firms choose a capacity level. Consider a
market with two firms. In the first stage, each firm chooses a production
capacity level qi at a cost of 0.25 per unit of capacity, where 0 <q; < 1. In
the second stage, the firms observed each other's capacity and respond by
competing over prices. Once capacity is decided, the firms can produce up
to that capacity with zero marginal cost. Each firm faces a demand of p = 1
- Q and choose prices simultaneously in the second stage, and sales are
distributed as in the standard Bertrand model.
2
(a)
Verify and explain that in the second stage, both firms will set a
common price pi =p2 =p* = 1- q1 – q2.
(b)
In the first stage, each firm simultaneously and independently
chooses its capacity, qi. Find the equilibrium capacities and price.
(Hint: both firms anticipate equilibrium price p* in the second
stage)
(c)
Compare your results in (b) if both firms only compete in
choosing q as in the standard Cournot model with the inverse
market demand p = 1- Q and identical marginal cost of 0.25 per
unit of output.
Transcribed Image Text:Consider a game in which we add an extra stage to the standard Bertrand model of price competition where firms choose a capacity level. Consider a market with two firms. In the first stage, each firm chooses a production capacity level qi at a cost of 0.25 per unit of capacity, where 0 <q; < 1. In the second stage, the firms observed each other's capacity and respond by competing over prices. Once capacity is decided, the firms can produce up to that capacity with zero marginal cost. Each firm faces a demand of p = 1 - Q and choose prices simultaneously in the second stage, and sales are distributed as in the standard Bertrand model. 2 (a) Verify and explain that in the second stage, both firms will set a common price pi =p2 =p* = 1- q1 – q2. (b) In the first stage, each firm simultaneously and independently chooses its capacity, qi. Find the equilibrium capacities and price. (Hint: both firms anticipate equilibrium price p* in the second stage) (c) Compare your results in (b) if both firms only compete in choosing q as in the standard Cournot model with the inverse market demand p = 1- Q and identical marginal cost of 0.25 per unit of output.
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