Last-In First-Out Oligopoly Dynamics

29 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2009 Last revised: 7 Aug 2022

See all articles by Jaap H. Abbring

Jaap H. Abbring

Tilburg University - Department of Econometrics & Operations Research; Tilburg University - Center for Economic Research (CentER); Tinbergen Institute; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Jeffrey R. Campbell

University of Notre Dame; Tilburg University

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Date Written: January 2009

Abstract

This paper extends the static analysis of oligopoly structure into an infinite-horizon setting with sunk costs and demand uncertainty. The observation that exit rates decline with firm age motivates the assumption of last-in first-out dynamics: An entrant expects to produce no longer than any incumbent. This selects an essentially unique Markov-perfect equilibrium. With mild restrictions on the demand shocks, sequences of thresholds describe firms' equilibrium entry and survival decisions. Bresnahan and Reiss's (1993) empirical analysis of oligopolists' entry and exit assumes that such thresholds govern the evolution of the number of competitors. Our analysis provides an infinite-horizon game-theoretic foundation for that structure.

Suggested Citation

Abbring, Jaap H. and Campbell, Jeffrey R., Last-In First-Out Oligopoly Dynamics (January 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w14674, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1332613

Jaap H. Abbring

Tilburg University - Department of Econometrics & Operations Research ( email )

Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://center.uvt.nl/staff/abbring/

Tilburg University - Center for Economic Research (CentER) ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://center.uvt.nl/staff/abbring/

Tinbergen Institute

Roetersstraat 31
Amsterdam, 1018WB
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.tinbergen.nl

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Jeffrey R. Campbell (Contact Author)

University of Notre Dame ( email )

United States

Tilburg University ( email )

Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands