You have just been hired by a company as an economist and strategic planner. Your company has asked you to generate a report explaining the consequences of the market structure in which the company operates. Assume that the market structure is an oligopoly. Explain to management how this structure could influence decision making, especially pricing, output, advertising, and the use of resources in an oligopolistic market, as compared to other market structures.
Outline what the kinked demand curve model of oligopoly seeks to explain. What are the major points of this theory? How does the kinked demand theory of oligopoly differ from other theories in terms of explaining the behavior of companies in an oligopoly? Explain the role of your company if it is considered the dominant company in the industry in terms of price leadership. Suggest and justify whether any other role should be recommended.
Price discrimination is the practice of charging different customers or groups of customers different prices for the same product. Why does price discrimination occur? Describe the conditions that must be present for price discrimination to occur. Analyze why and how price discrimination is practiced in the following markets:
o Airline tickets
o Wholesale vs. retail markets
o Movie theater tickets
o Discount coupons
Justify your choices with valid assumptions and logically driven arguments.