Challenges in Merger Simulation Analysis

In this paper, we share our experience with merger simulations using a Random Coefficient Logit model on the demand side and assuming a static Bertrand game on the supply side. Drawing largely from our work in Knittel and Metaxoglou (2008), we show that different demand estimates obtained from diffe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Knittel, Christopher Roland, Metaxoglou, Konstantinos
Other Authors: Sloan School of Management
Format: Article
Language:en_US
Published: American Economic Association 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/75109
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7654-8641
Description
Summary:In this paper, we share our experience with merger simulations using a Random Coefficient Logit model on the demand side and assuming a static Bertrand game on the supply side. Drawing largely from our work in Knittel and Metaxoglou (2008), we show that different demand estimates obtained from different combinations of optimization algorithms and starting values lead to substantial differences in post-merger market outcomes using metrics such as industry profits, and change in consumer welfare and prices.