Essay on "Market Competition and Regulation"
Essay 8 pages (2379 words) Sources: 6
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Market, Competition and RegulationThe competitive environment that characterizes today's global economy has determine numerous companies to resort to anti-competitive practices and international organizations to establish sets of rules and regulations designed in order to prevent such practices from taking place. Antitrust laws are being developed and implemented by countries within their boundaries, but can also be developed by international organizations, like the European Union.
The European Union, through its commissions, is quite active in this direction. This is because the European Union intends to build a competitive environment where all companies have equal opportunities at addressing the European market. As a consequence, the EU has established a series of laws that must be followed by companies that intend to do business in the European environment.
The EU is mainly interested in monopoly situations and how they can affect the European market and the players in this market. The EU has established strict laws that must be followed by the European companies or by foreign companies that address the European market. The EU has initiated a series of investigations regarding companies that threatened to develop a monopoly position on the European market.
Such an investigation is represented by the action in which the EU analyzes the situation of IBM and the monopoly suspicion regarding this company and its activity. IBM has been accused by T3 Technologies that the company is abusing its dominant market position by connecting its operating system sales with its hardware sales (Oates, 2009).
In addition
download full paper ⤓
T3 Technologies' complaint was also supported by the Computer & Communications Industry Association. The association accused the U.S. antitrust authorities that are considered to be unreliable and inefficient at managing such situations. IBM is also investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Economic Analysis
IBM, or International Business Machines Corporation was established in 1911. Since its establishment, the company focused on using technological developments in order to improve business operations initially. As a consequence, IBM continues to integrated solutions that aim at solving customers' problems, using leverage information technology and knowledge of business processes (IBM, 2010).
The main advantages of the business solutions developed by IBM rely on the fact that they help reduce customers' operating costs, and ensure new capabilities directed towards generating revenues for these customers. The main services provided by IBM refer to consulting, delivery and implementation services, enterprise software, systems, and financing.
Although the it industry is characterized by unstable factors that are sometimes difficult to anticipate and that significantly influence the security of the business activity of companies in this industry, IBM is one of the companies that manage to develop in this environment. The company's success can be attributed to the strategy developed and implemented by IBM.
The company's strategy is based on the following aspects:
Creating value for the companies that apply IBM's integrated business and it innovation products and services
Exploiting growth opportunities by taking advantage of the company's strong position on the market
Focusing on higher value software and services in order to create competitive advantage
Becoming the world's leading globally integrated corporation
Anticipating the needs of the market
The company's strategy is based on the fact that it is more efficient and profitable to orient the company's activity towards integrated business solutions, instead of focusing on point products that only serve some customer segments and that are characterized by increased costs. This is because the company's customers are interested in increasing their business's value through the it segment.
In order to improve its position on the market, IBM has developed a series of initiatives designed to help the company grow on several markets. These initiatives include: Smarter Planet and Industry Frameworks, Growth Markets, Business Analytics, and Cloud Computing.
The company faces strong competition in all its business segments: global services, software, systems and technology, and global financing.
In its attempt of increasing its market share, IBM is accused of intending to develop a monopoly position on the European market, which would not be beneficial for its competitors and customers. These competitors have filled several complaints regarding this situation, which determined EU commissions to start investigations in this case.
Monopoly Characteristics of IBM
The monopoly situation is characterized by a company that has increased control over a product or service in a specific market, in comparison with the control exerted by competitors. The situation is considered to be dangerous because in this case the company that has the monopoly establishes and influences the price of the product or service in case and the access conditions to that product (Linux Information Project, 2006). It is not an understatement to consider that all companies, no matter their field of activity, tend to such a situation.
Any company intends to gain as much market share as possible, by implementing a series of strategies. Some of these companies use their competitive advantage into increasing their number of customers, other companies use their financial power in expanding their geographical area, while other companies acquire their smaller competitors in order to reduce competition on that market and to increase the power.
Therefore, it is the duty of the organizations and institutions in countries where such situations occur to establish rules and regulations that do not allow for monopoly competition to take place, and to monitor and control the activity of the companies in these countries' markets and the compliance to the established rules.
This is also the case of IBM. The company has been accused in a number of times of abusing its situation in the market in order t prevent its competitors from performing their activities. The position of IBM on the U.S. And on the EU market threatens the activity of smaller competitors. Since its establishment, IBM has significantly improved its position on the market. Some may say the company has earned its position on the market, as this is the result of IBM's work and advantages brought to its customers. In other words, one may assume that it is the company's merit to benefit from such a strong position on the market and that the company should not be limited from exerting its power, given the fact that it has earned it through legal means.
But international institutions and the company's competitors seem to disagree. For example, the EU has very strict laws regarding anticompetitive behavior. Companies that intend to merge in the European space must first apply for the approval of the EU in this direction. The commissions that investigate such issues must determine whether the new company is likely to exceed a certain percentage of the European market is case of a merger or acquisition. Based on the findings of the investigation, the EU commission can disapprove the merger, can approve the merger, or can approve the merger while maintain the monitoring of the company in case.
In the case of IBM, the situation does not imply that other competitors will not address the market in which IBM is activating. But their power is considerably reduced in comparison with that of IBM. The company can influence the prices on the market by establishing lower price levels that other competitors cannot provide. This is considered to be disloyal competition and is not accepted within the EU, because it denies equal opportunities for all competitors, no matter the field of activity they address.
Also, in this case, IBM dictates the strategic directions that its competitors must follow. This is because the company's market power allows IBM to set the rules in this industry, determining competitors to follow them, instead of developing their own strategies intended to create competitive advantage. It is therefore difficult to anticipate the strategic moves of IBM by competitors, so that they are unable to efficiently counteract these moves. This situation also affects the customers of these companies.
However, one must understand that anticompetitive laws in the U.S. And in the EU do not state that monopoly positions are against the law. But the stipulations of these laws strongly forbid certain behaviors of companies that are considered to threaten market conditions, competitors' opportunities, and customers' possibilities.
The most important aspect regarding the situation of IBM is represented by the analysis of its market power. This factor allows to company to impose its conditions several markets and to influence the structure of the market in case. There are several manners in which IBM exerts its market power in order to prevent its competitors from gaining market share.
For example, economic barriers are the most important types of barriers raised by IBM in relationship with its competitors. The economies of scale that IBM benefits from represent a major asset of the company in its attempt to reduce the power if competitors. The company's financial power allows… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Market Competition and Regulation" Assignment:
Choose ONE of the followings.A monopoly,merger or cartel case investigated by competition authorities in the US,UK or EU. Explain the relevant economics that underlies the case. Summarise and evaluate the arguments for and against intervention by the competition authorities. Explain why you agree or disagree with the authorities findings.
On choosing a case. Any competition case that highlights issues discussed in the powerpoint slides that i*****'ll be sending you is fine.
You might choose
- a case you have read about in a newspaper or heard about on the news
- a case you find on one of the competition authorities***** websites
But make sure it is relevant to ONE of the following:
- monopoly power
- cartels/collusion
- mergers
The relevant competition authority*****s website
US Federal Trade Commission
US Antitrust Division
UK Competition Commission
European Commission
- Antitrust
- Mergers
- Cartels
Articles in newspapers or other online news sources are often a good place to start and find some general information
But you need to go further, The reports on competition authorities***** websites are important ***** for many UK and EU cases, the reports contain a summary that gives most of the important information
For some cases, you will also be able to find academic articles addressing the issues (a google scholar search will help find these). Don*****t use Wikipedia as a source, although you can use references from Wikipedia to find more information.
The structure of the essay:
Introduction - What case are you looking at? Give a brief overview of the main issues involved
Main body -
Economic analysis: explain the relevant economics behind the issues
Explain the reasoning for the authority*****s decision and any defence offered by firms
Conclusion - Was the correct decision reached?
Use numbered sections? Not essential in an essay of this length, but it could help provide a good structure
Explaining the economics:
In the essay, you should show an understanding and apply some of the economics in the powerpoint slides im sending u.
Explain the theory that relates to the case you choose.
Welfare analysis important as effects on consumers likely to be a strong consideration in any investigation
Diagrams will help in explanation (e.g. showing possible welfare losses)
Use the economics to an***** the case ***** i.e. refer back to the theory when discussing the case
- Monopoly -
Exploitation of monopoly power tends to lead to high prices and may lead to competition authorities investigating
The theory
Profit maximisation by monopolists leads to lower output and higher prices than in more competitive markets
Consumer surplus falls
Total welfare falls ***** deadweight loss
Defence of monopoly
Monopoly not wrong in itself ***** cases rest on abusing monopoly power
High profits may allow investment and research
- Collusion -
Like monopoly, collusion leads to high prices and, unlike monopoly, it is usually illegal
The theory
Monopoly profits are higher than profits from a competitive (price or quantity setting) oligopoly
This provides an incentive for firms to collude to restrict output to the monopoly level
Can be difficult to maintain, although facilitated by factors including growing markets, capacity constraints and price information
The main challenge for competition authorities is to prove that collusion has occurred
- Mergers -
Unlike monopoly and collusion cases, merger cases are usually considered by authorities before the event.
Authorities judge whether future mergers will be allowed
The theory
Horizontal mergers will tend to reduce competition and raise prices
But this can be offset by cost reductions
Vertical mergers will potentially benefit firms and consumers by removing double marginalisation
But could have negative effects if they prevent rivals from accessing suppliers or customers
Arguments for and against decision :
Explain why the case was investigated
For collusion and monopoly cases, what evidence was there that the firms***** actions were anti-competitive?
For merger cases, why did this merger risk being anti-competitive?
Where firms were accused of wrong-doing, what defence did they offer
Note that in many collusion cases, firms admit guilt in hope of receiving a reduced fine, so they may not provide a defence.
For merger cases, what arguments did firms offer to support their plan to merge?
Possible efficiency arguments.
*****
How to Reference "Market Competition and Regulation" Essay in a Bibliography
“Market Competition and Regulation.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2010, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/market-competition-regulation/9755383. Accessed 6 Jul 2024.
Related Essays:
Market Leadership Report Final Project Report Company Essay
![Paper Icon](https://www.a1-termpaper.com/images/term-paper-3.png)
Market Leadership Report
Final Project Report
Company Background and History
Staples Inc. is a medium sized business entity engaging in the distribution and stocking of office and school stationery supplies.… read more
Essay 9 pages (3168 words) Sources: 12 Topic: Business / Corporations / E-commerce
Market Model Patterns of Change Research Paper
![Paper Icon](https://www.a1-termpaper.com/images/term-paper-3.png)
Market Model Patterns of Change
Business description and general pattern of change of the market model
healthcare industry is fast paced and is uniquely characterized by rapid growth and development… read more
Research Paper 4 pages (1403 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Healthcare / Health / Obamacare
Is Competition Always Necessarily Beneficial to Consumers? Essay
![Paper Icon](https://www.a1-termpaper.com/images/term-paper-3.png)
Competition
Orthodox economic thought holds that competition is inherently better than monopoly in the provision of goods and services. There are a number of reasons why competition is cited as… read more
Essay 5 pages (1479 words) Sources: 5 Style: Harvard Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking
Competition Regulation Essay
![Paper Icon](https://www.a1-termpaper.com/images/term-paper-3.png)
Competition
Regulation and competition: An overview of existing market structures
Broadly speaking, three basic market structures exist within most capitalist economies: monopolies, oligopolies, and perfectly competitive markets. In the case… read more
Essay 3 pages (1022 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Economics / Finance / Banking
Regulation of Labour Market Essay
![Paper Icon](https://www.a1-termpaper.com/images/term-paper-3.png)
Regulation of Labour Market
The regulation of labor market
The labor market has historically been subject to regulation but this is the result of vested interests rather than any economic… read more
Essay 7 pages (2542 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Career / Labor / Human Resources
Sat, Jul 6, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!