oligopolistic
Market with few
Oligopolistic describes a market dominated by a small number of large sellers.
In an oligopolistic industry, a few major companies control most of the market share, giving them significant power over prices and competition: The oligopolistic nature of the airline industry means a handful of carriers set the tone for fares.
The word derives from oligopoly, itself modeled on monopoly but with Greek roots meaning "few sellers."
Fraudulent secret cooperation
- tacit agreementConsent without words
- price fixingIllegal coordinated rate-setting
- predatory pricingBelow-cost selling to eliminate competition
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
Extent of seller dominance
- barriers to entryFactors blocking market access
- market powerControl over transaction terms
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- incumbentsCurrent holders of positions
market dominance · economies of scale · network effects · vertical integration · market control · conglomerates
Study of strategic interaction
- prisoner's dilemmaStrategic game theory scenario
- profit maximizationPursuing greatest possible gains
- mutual dependenceShared reliance between parties
Regulations preventing corporate monopolies
- Federal Trade CommissionAgency overseeing marketplace fairness
- consumer protectionLaws defending purchasers' interests
- consent decreesCourt-approved resolution agreements
- regulatory scrutinyOfficial examination of compliance
collusion
Fraudulent secret cooperation
- tacit agreementConsent without words
- price fixingIllegal coordinated rate-setting
- predatory pricingBelow-cost selling to eliminate competition
market concentration
Extent of seller dominance
- barriers to entryFactors blocking market access
- market powerControl over transaction terms
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
incumbents · market dominance · economies of scale · network effects · vertical integration · market control · conglomerates
game theory
Study of strategic interaction
- prisoner's dilemmaStrategic game theory scenario
- profit maximizationPursuing greatest possible gains
- mutual dependenceShared reliance between parties
antitrust laws
Regulations preventing corporate monopolies
- Federal Trade CommissionAgency overseeing marketplace fairness
- consumer protectionLaws defending purchasers' interests
- consent decreesCourt-approved resolution agreements
regulatory scrutiny · fair competition · Clayton Act · corporate accountability
oligopolisticcompetitive
Driven by rivalry
atomistic · monopolistic · fragmented · unconcentrated · decentralized
oligopolisticfree market
Commerce without state intervention
contestable · competitive · open market · deregulated · laissez-faire
monopoly, oligarch, oligarchy, duopoly, oligopoly, monopolist, monopolists, monopolistic, oligopolies