Week 18: Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly

 Differentiating Features and Real-World Examples

🔹 1. Monopolistic Competition

➤ Definition:

Monopolistic competition is a market structure where many firms sell products that are similar but not identical. Each firm has some degree of market power due to product differentiation.

➤ Key Features:

  • Many sellers: Large number of firms competing.

  • Product differentiation: Each firm offers a slightly different product (e.g., packaging, branding, features).

  • Free entry and exit: Firms can enter or leave the market easily.

  • Some control over price: Due to brand loyalty and uniqueness.

  • Non-price competition: Heavy focus on marketing, branding, service quality, etc.

➤ Real-World Examples:

  • Coffee Shops (e.g., Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts)

  • Clothing Brands (e.g., H&M, Zara, Uniqlo)

  • Restaurants and fast-food chains (e.g., McDonald's, Burger King)

🔹 2. Oligopoly

➤ Definition:

Oligopoly is a market structure dominated by a few large firms that control most of the market share. These firms may collude or compete.

➤ Key Features:

  • Few large firms: A small number of dominant players.

  • High barriers to entry: Due to economies of scale, patents, or brand dominance.

  • Interdependence: Each firm’s decisions affect others.

  • Possible price rigidity: Prices tend to be stable because firms watch each other closely.

  • Potential for collusion: Firms might agree (tacitly or explicitly) on prices or output.

➤ Real-World Examples:

  • Telecommunications (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile)

  • Airline Industry (e.g., Delta, American Airlines, United)

  • Automobile Industry (e.g., Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen)

🔸 Comparison Summary Table

FeatureMonopolistic CompetitionOligopoly
Number of FirmsManyFew
Product DifferentiationYesCan be either similar or different
Entry/Exit BarriersLowHigh
Price ControlSomeSignificant (depending on rivalry)
ExamplesRestaurants, ClothingTelecoms, Airline

18. Hafta: Monopolcü Rekabet ve Oligopol

Ayırt Edici Özellikler ve Gerçek Dünya Örnekleri

🔹 1. Monopolcü Rekabet

➤ Tanım:

Monopolcü rekabet, birçok firmanın benzer ancak birebir aynı olmayan ürünler sattığı piyasa yapısıdır. Ürün farklılaştırması sayesinde firmalar kısmi fiyat belirleme gücüne sahiptir.

➤ Temel Özellikler:

  • Çok sayıda satıcı: Piyasada birçok rakip firma vardır.

  • Ürün farklılaştırması: Her firma ürününü ambalaj, marka, özellik gibi unsurlarla farklılaştırır.

  • Giriş ve çıkış kolaylığı: Piyasaya giriş ve çıkış serbesttir.

  • Fiyat kontrolü: Ürün benzersizliği ve marka bağlılığı nedeniyle belirli ölçüde fiyat belirleme gücü vardır.

  • Fiyat dışı rekabet: Reklam, müşteri hizmeti ve marka imajı önemlidir.

➤ Gerçek Dünya Örnekleri:

  • Kahve zincirleri (örneğin Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts)

  • Giyim markaları (örneğin H&M, Zara, Uniqlo)

  • Restoran ve fast food zincirleri (örneğin McDonald's, Burger King)

🔹 2. Oligopol

➤ Tanım:

Oligopol, birkaç büyük firmanın piyasanın çoğunu kontrol ettiği bir piyasa yapısıdır. Bu firmalar ya rekabet eder ya da iş birliği yapabilir.

➤ Temel Özellikler:

  • Az sayıda büyük firma: Piyasaya hakim birkaç büyük oyuncu vardır.

  • Yüksek giriş engelleri: Ölçek ekonomileri, patentler veya marka gücü nedeniyle yeni firmalar piyasaya giremez.

  • Karşılıklı bağımlılık: Bir firmanın aldığı kararlar diğerlerini etkiler.

  • Fiyat sabitliği: Firmalar birbirlerini izlediği için fiyatlar genellikle çok değişmez.

  • Kartel riski: Firmalar fiyat veya üretim konusunda açık ya da örtülü anlaşmalar yapabilir.

➤ Gerçek Dünya Örnekleri:

  • Telekomünikasyon (örneğin Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom)

  • Havayolu sektörü (örneğin THY, Pegasus)

  • Otomotiv sektörü (örneğin Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen)

🔸 Karşılaştırma Tablosu

ÖzellikMonopolcü RekabetOligopol
Firma SayısıÇokAz
Ürün FarklılaştırmasıVarOlabilir
Giriş/Çıkış EngelleriDüşükYüksek
Fiyat Belirleme GücüSınırlıGörece yüksek
ÖrneklerRestoranlar, Giyim firmalarıTelekom, Havayolu, Otomotiv

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