Oligopoly

The structure of a market refers to the degree of competition which is prevailing in the current marketplace. Hence, an industrialist must understand every little detail of the market to successfully run a business. Over time, many kinds of markets have developed in the economic world. These include purely competitive markets, pure monopoly, oligopoly, monophony, etc. Each market has its defining characteristics and features. However, in this blog, we will discuss only the oligopoly market at length. In a nutshell, oligopoly market is where a small number of large organisations dominate the entire industry and have the entire market share. For example, the automobile industry can be termed as an oligopoly market.

Oligopoly Definition

What is oligopoly? Oligopoly is a structural type of market, consisting of and dominated by a small number of firms. It can be described as a form of “imperfect competition” where the actions of a firm significantly influence the other firms in the market. This is in stark contrast to monopolies, where a single firm controls the entire market. 

There is limited competition in an oligopoly market. This induces the firms to collaborate to keep hold of the market and compete with others. This interdependence is one of the main characteristics of oligopoly.

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Types of Oligopoly

Different types of oligopoly exist in the present day scenario. All these types of oligopoly arise due to many factors. These factors include the nature of the product, the openness of the market, the degree of collaboration between the competing firms, the structure and the functioning of the competitive firms in the market, etc. 

All these types of oligopoly are discussed below.

Depending on the Nature of the Product, the Types of Oligopoly are as Follows:

1. Pure or Perfect Oligopoly

Here, the product is homogenous. The aluminium industry is a good example of this type of market.

2. Differentiated or Imperfect Oligopoly

In this type of oligopoly market, the concerned product is differentiated. The talcum powder industry is an example of an imperfect oligopoly.

Depending on the Openness of the Market, Oligopoly is of Two Types:

1. Open Oligopoly Market

In this case, new firms are open to enter the market and compete with the already existing firms.

2. Closed Oligopoly Market

Entry for the new firms is restricted in this type of market.

The Degree of Collaboration between the Existing Firms in the Market Dictates Two Types of Oligopoly Markets:

1. Collusive Oligopoly

In this case, the existing firms come to terms about the output and price of the products.

2. Competitive Oligopoly

Due to the lack of understanding between the firms, all the firms compete with each other.

Depending on the Functioning of the Firms, the Types of Oligopoly are as Follows:

1. Partial Oligopoly

When a large firm dominates the market, it becomes the price leader of the market. This is called a partial oligopoly. 

2. Full Oligopoly

In this type of oligopoly market, there are no price leaders.

Depending on How the Product Price is Fixed, the Types of Oligopoly are as Follows:

1. Syndicated Oligopoly

When a centralised syndicate conducts the sale products in a market, it is called a syndicated oligopoly.

2. Organised Oligopoly

Firms often create a centralised association to fix output, prices, quotas, etc. This is called an organised oligopoly.

Characteristics of Oligopoly

The major defining features of oligopoly are as follows:

1. Interdependence

Interdependence among firms is a major character in an oligopoly. This means that the action of a particular firm affects the other firms in the market. 

2. Prevalence of Advertisement

Interdependence forces firms to resort to high-end marketing strategies to grab a bigger chunk of the market. 

3. General Entry Restriction

Entry in an oligopoly market is severely restricted. Start-ups have to face fierce competition and economic prowess from the existing firms to enter.

4. Group Behavior

Group behaviour is crucial in an oligopoly. To maintain a true oligopoly, every firm must abolish profit-maximising behaviour. In an oligopoly, all the firms work as a team to achieve success.

Oligopoly Examples

To properly understand oligopoly, examples may be the perfect way to visualise them.

Examples of Oligopoly are as Follows:

1. Beverage/Soft Drinks industry

2. Airline industry

3. Oil industry

4. Wholesale Beer industry

5. Automobile industry

6. Photographic equipment industry

7. Music industry, etc

Fun Fact

The profit-maximising condition is the same for perfectly competitive firms and oligopolistic firms. Oligopolists maximise profits by equalising marginal revenue and marginal cost. However, any change in marginal cost or marginal revenue cannot always be adjusted by a corresponding change in price/quantity. This is because the demand curves are kinked. The firms, however, shut down when the price falls below the average variable cost.