Oligopóliát

Oligopóliát is a market structure characterized by a small number of large firms that dominate an industry. These firms are interdependent, meaning that the actions of one firm significantly impact the others, and vice versa. This interdependence leads to strategic behavior, where each firm considers the likely reactions of its rivals when making decisions about pricing, output, or advertising.

Key features of an oligopoly include high barriers to entry, such as substantial capital requirements, patents, or brand loyalty, which make it difficult for new firms to enter the market. The products offered by oligopolistic firms can be either differentiated, like in the automobile or soft drink industries, or homogeneous, as seen in industries like steel or oil.

Collusion, where firms cooperate to set prices or restrict output, is a potential outcome in oligopolistic markets, although it is often illegal. When collusion is not present, firms may engage in price wars or engage in non-price competition, such as advertising and product innovation, to gain market share. The pricing behavior in an oligopoly can be complex, with no single pricing model universally applicable. Firms might engage in price leadership, where one dominant firm sets the price and others follow, or they may react to each other's price changes in various ways. Understanding oligopoly is crucial for analyzing competition and market dynamics in many important sectors of the economy.