In: Economics
There are N symmetric firms in the industry, facing market
demand
Q (p) = 250-p
Firms have a constant marginal cost of production of c = 10, and
they compete in prices.
a) What are the Bertrand equilibrium price, output levels, and
profits?
b) Suppose that the firms want to sustain the monopoly price using
grim trigger strategies. Let each firm
produce a share of 1/N of the total demand under collusion.
Calculate the critical discount factor as a function D (Delta) of
N. Does collusion become easier or harder to sustain as N
increases?
c) Suppose that the actual discount factor is = 0.7. How many firms
can enter this industry without jeopardizing the cartel?