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Gains to producers from the cartelization of exhaustible resources

Journal Article · · Rev. Econ. Stat.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1924977· OSTI ID:7100557

Three cartels are examined to determine the potential gains to producers of forming cartels to market exhaustible resources by calculating both monopolistic and competitive price trajectories. Included in the study are the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Council of Copper Exporting Countries (CIPEC), and the International Bauxite Association (IBA). An optimal pricing model is described and applied to each of the cartels. Cartels are concluded to have an advantage for petroleum and bauxite, but not for copper. The smaller market shares of CIPEC and short-term lag adjustments seem to be the determining factors rather than resource exhaustion. Future research is needed to determine the effects of competitive firms changing their price expectations and cartel formation of consuming countries. 27 references.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
OSTI ID:
7100557
Journal Information:
Rev. Econ. Stat.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Econ. Stat.; (United States) Vol. 60:2; ISSN RECSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English