Characteristics of the Various Market Structures

The market structures influence how price and output decisions are made by the firms in their respective structure. In all market structures, one of the primary goals is to maximize profits or minimize losses.

One of the major differences between these market structures is how price and output decisions are made, which in turn depends on the characteristics of each market structure. There are four market structures:

1. Perfect competition

2. Monopolistic competition

3. Oligopoly

4. Monopoly

Tasks:

Using Template A, construct a table that describes the various characteristics of each market structure.

2. Identify a firm for each of these market structures and explain why each firm belongs in the market structure identified.

3. Using Microsoft Excel, construct a graph for each of the market structures and explain how price and output decisions are made in each structure and how they differ.

4. How is marginal analysis used in the price and output decisions of firms in the various market structures?

Template A:

Perfect

Competition

Monopolistic

Competition

Oligopoly

Monopoly

Number of Firms

Pricing Decisions

Output Decisions

Profit

Demand Curve

Ease of Entry

Product Differentiation

Deliverables:

• Prepare a 5-10 page Microsoft Word document that includes the tasks noted above and meets APA standards.

• Include a summary section in your report that contains 5-7 bullet points identifying your major findings or conclusions of your paper.