Efficiency gains and mergers

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De Feo, Giuseppe (2008) Efficiency gains and mergers. Preprint / Working Paper. Università degli Studi di Salerno.

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Abstract

In the theoretical literature, strong arguments have been provided in support of the efficiency defense in antitrust merger policy. One of the most often cited results is due to Williamson (1968) that shows how relatively small reduction in cost could offset the deadweight loss of a large price increase. Furthermore, Salant et al. (1983) demonstrate that (not for monopoly) mergers are unprofitable absent efficiency gains. The general result, drawn in a Cournot framework by Farrell and Shapiro (1990), is that (not too large) mergers that are profitable are always welfare improving. In the present work we challenge the conclusions of this literature in two aspects. First, we show that Williamson's results underestimate the welfare loss due to a price increase and overestimate the effect of efficiency gains. Then, we prove that the conditions for welfare improving mergers defined by Farrell and Shapiro (1990) hold true only when consumers are adversely affected. This seems an argument to disregard their policy prescriptions when antitrust authorities are more "consumers-oriented". In this respect, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition for a consumer surplus improving merger: in a two firm merger, efficiency gains must be larger than the pre-merger average markup.

ORCID iDs

De Feo, Giuseppe ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2085-1756;
  • Item type:Monograph(Preprint / Working Paper)
    ID code:7232
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    2008
    Published
    Notes:Università degli Studi di Salerno – Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Statistiche Working Paper, No. 3.196.
    Subjects:Social Sciences > Economic Theory
    Department:Strathclyde Business School > Economics
    Depositing user: Strathprints Administrator
    Date deposited:18 Dec 2008 13:51
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 16:01
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/7232
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