Purchase Solution

single-period oligopolies

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Is a repeated or single-period game more appropriate for the study of oligopolies? In which setting is collusion more likely to be a stable outcome? Explain.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Preview

A repeated game is more appropriate (for reasons which I will describe below). Collusion may be more stable in repeated games (under extreme conditions), but will never be stable under the single period game.

First, we should note that single period oligopolies are identical to the prisoner's dilemma. Both firms have incentives to cheat, because cheating gives them a higher return for this period. Since the game is only single period, there is nothing more to consider other than present returns, so obviously everyone would cheat.

However, the single period game is inappropriate to model oligopolies. For most businesses, their goal is to stay in the market for as long as possible rather than earn a lot of money in one period and leave. Most oligopolies we can name have been operating for a long time, for example, ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Understanding the Accounting Equation

These 10 questions help a new student of accounting to understand the basic premise of accounting and how it is applied to the business world.

Social Media: Pinterest

This quiz introduces basic concepts of Pinterest social media

Operations Management

This quiz tests a student's knowledge about Operations Management

Change and Resistance within Organizations

This quiz intended to help students understand change and resistance in organizations

Writing Business Plans

This quiz will test your understanding of how to write good business plans, the usual components of a good plan, purposes, terms, and writing style tips.