Carteliyhteistyö

Carteliyhteistyö is a Finnish term that translates to "cartel cooperation" or "collusion." It refers to an agreement between competing companies to coordinate their business strategies, often with the aim of reducing competition and increasing profits. This type of cooperation can take various forms, such as price fixing, market sharing, or limiting production.

The primary motivation behind carteliyhteistyö is to gain an advantage over rivals and consumers by manipulating market forces. For instance, companies might agree to set a minimum price for their products, ensuring that none of them will undercut the others. Alternatively, they might divide geographical territories or customer segments among themselves, so each company faces less direct competition within its designated area.

In most developed economies, including Finland, carteliyhteistyö is illegal and subject to strict regulation by competition authorities. These authorities monitor markets for anti-competitive practices and impose penalties, such as fines, on businesses found to be engaging in collusion. The rationale behind these laws is to protect consumers from higher prices and reduced choice, and to foster a fair and dynamic marketplace where innovation and efficiency are rewarded. Investigations into potential carteliyhteistyö often involve gathering evidence of communication and agreements between competing firms.