Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows the market shares of firms selling ready-mixed concrete in a city. The four largest firms have been operating for more than ten years.
(a) Calculate the three-firm concentration ratio. [1]
(b) Explain one possible effect of this concentration on price competition. [2]
(c) Which firm has the smallest market share? [1]
(a) The three-firm concentration ratio is:
\[45\% + 32\% + 22\% = 99\%\]
Three-firm concentration ratio = \(99\%\). [1]
(b) Large firms may watch the pricing decisions of their close rivals. [1] They may avoid cutting price because rivals are likely to match the cut, so the firm gains little extra demand while its revenue or profit per unit falls. [1]
(c) Firm D has the smallest market share, at \(11\%\). [1]
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