Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare

Larry D. QIU, Leonard K. CHENG, Michael K. FUNG*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed)

Abstract

When fixed, sunk investment costs are high, firms may not have sufficient incentive to enter the market unless future entry is constrained. In this case, the government faces a dilemma between a full commitment and noncommitment of restricted future entry. A way out is to consider a commitment conditional on the realization of the uncertain parameters, such as the trigger-point mechanism (TPM) that sets conditions on current production level, excess capacity, and demand growth under which future entry will be allowed. This article shows that the TPM facilitates the incumbents’ collusion but may improve social welfare under certain circumstances.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-169
Number of pages14
JournalContemporary Economic Policy
Volume25
Issue number2
Early online date24 Jan 2007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

welfare
commitment
social welfare
incentive
firm
demand
market
costs
Collusion
Trigger
Excess capacity
Incentives
Social welfare
Incumbents
Excess demand
Government
Costs

Bibliographical note

Financial support by a grant from the Research Grant Councilof Hong Kong (HKUST6211/97H).

Cite this

QIU, Larry D. ; CHENG, Leonard K. ; FUNG, Michael K. / Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare. In: Contemporary Economic Policy. 2007 ; Vol. 25, No. 2. pp. 156-169.
@article{2fb2a1c78dc64afc832d833fbdbf5bc6,
title = "Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare",
abstract = "When fixed, sunk investment costs are high, firms may not have sufficient incentive to enter the market unless future entry is constrained. In this case, the government faces a dilemma between a full commitment and noncommitment of restricted future entry. A way out is to consider a commitment conditional on the realization of the uncertain parameters, such as the trigger-point mechanism (TPM) that sets conditions on current production level, excess capacity, and demand growth under which future entry will be allowed. This article shows that the TPM facilitates the incumbents’ collusion but may improve social welfare under certain circumstances.",
author = "QIU, {Larry D.} and CHENG, {Leonard K.} and FUNG, {Michael K.}",
note = "Financial support by a grant from the Research Grant Councilof Hong Kong (HKUST6211/97H).",
year = "2007",
month = "4",
doi = "10.1111/j.1465-7287.2006.00028.x",
language = "English",
volume = "25",
pages = "156--169",
journal = "Contemporary Economic Policy",
issn = "1074-3529",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd",
number = "2",

}

QIU, LD, CHENG, LK & FUNG, MK 2007, 'Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare', Contemporary Economic Policy, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 156-169. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7287.2006.00028.x

Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare. / QIU, Larry D.; CHENG, Leonard K.; FUNG, Michael K.

In: Contemporary Economic Policy, Vol. 25, No. 2, 04.2007, p. 156-169.

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare

AU - QIU, Larry D.

AU - CHENG, Leonard K.

AU - FUNG, Michael K.

N1 - Financial support by a grant from the Research Grant Councilof Hong Kong (HKUST6211/97H).

PY - 2007/4

Y1 - 2007/4

N2 - When fixed, sunk investment costs are high, firms may not have sufficient incentive to enter the market unless future entry is constrained. In this case, the government faces a dilemma between a full commitment and noncommitment of restricted future entry. A way out is to consider a commitment conditional on the realization of the uncertain parameters, such as the trigger-point mechanism (TPM) that sets conditions on current production level, excess capacity, and demand growth under which future entry will be allowed. This article shows that the TPM facilitates the incumbents’ collusion but may improve social welfare under certain circumstances.

AB - When fixed, sunk investment costs are high, firms may not have sufficient incentive to enter the market unless future entry is constrained. In this case, the government faces a dilemma between a full commitment and noncommitment of restricted future entry. A way out is to consider a commitment conditional on the realization of the uncertain parameters, such as the trigger-point mechanism (TPM) that sets conditions on current production level, excess capacity, and demand growth under which future entry will be allowed. This article shows that the TPM facilitates the incumbents’ collusion but may improve social welfare under certain circumstances.

UR - http://commons.ln.edu.hk/sw_master/1516

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34247866286&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/j.1465-7287.2006.00028.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1465-7287.2006.00028.x

M3 - Journal Article (refereed)

VL - 25

SP - 156

EP - 169

JO - Contemporary Economic Policy

JF - Contemporary Economic Policy

SN - 1074-3529

IS - 2

ER -

QIU LD, CHENG LK, FUNG MK. Trigger-point mechanism and conditional commitment : implications for entry, collusion, and welfare. Contemporary Economic Policy. 2007 Apr;25(2):156-169. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7287.2006.00028.x

Access to Document