Competition, Collusion, and Spatial Sales Patterns: Theory and Evidence

Matthias Hunold, Kai Hüschelrath, Ulrich Laitenberger, Johannes Muthers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article studies competition in markets with transport costs and capacity constraints. Using a rich micro‐level data set of the cement industry in Germany, we study a cartel breakdown to identify the effect of competition on transport distances. We find that when firms compete, they more often serve more distant customers. Moreover, the transport distance also varies in the ratio of capacity relative to demand, but only if firms compete and not when they coordinate their sales. We provide a theoretical model of spatial competition with capacity constraints that rationalizes the empirical results.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)737-779
Number of pages43
JournalThe Journal of Industrial Economics
Volume68, Issue 4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021

Fields of science

  • 303010 Health economics
  • 502 Economics
  • 502002 Labour economics
  • 502009 Corporate finance
  • 502021 Microeconomics
  • 502042 Environmental economics
  • 502047 Economic theory
  • 504014 Gender studies
  • 507016 Regional economy
  • 405002 Agricultural economics
  • 502001 Labour market policy
  • 502003 Foreign trade
  • 502010 Public finance
  • 502012 Industrial management
  • 502013 Industrial economics
  • 502018 Macroeconomics
  • 502020 Market research
  • 502025 Econometrics
  • 502027 Political economy
  • 502039 Structural policy
  • 502046 Economic policy
  • 506004 European integration

JKU Focus areas

  • Sustainable Development: Responsible Technologies and Management

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