A Simple Theory of Predation

Chiara Fumagalli and Massimo Motta (massimo.motta@upf.edu)
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Chiara Fumagalli: Università Bocconi, CSEF and CEPR

No 2010.15, Working Papers from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Abstract: We propose a simple theory of predatory pricing, based on scale economies and sequential buyers (or markets). The entrant (or prey) needs to reach a critical scale to be successful. The incumbent (or predator) is ready to make losses on earlier buyers so as to deprive the prey of the scale it needs, thus making monopoly profits on later buyers. Several extensions are considered, including markets where scale economies exist because of demand externalities or two-sided market effects, and where markets are characterised by common costs. Conditions under which predation may take place in actual cases are also discussed.

Keywords: Anticompetitive Behaviour; Exclusion; Below-Cost Pricing; Antitrust (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K21 L12 L40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-com, nep-ind and nep-law
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Working Paper: A Simple Theory of Predation (2012)
Working Paper: A Simple Theory of Predation (2010)
Working Paper: A Simple Theory of Predation (2010)
Working Paper: A Simple Theory of Predation (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fem:femwpa:2010.15

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