Ch18 - Competitive markets

Cards (7)

  • Competitive market

    • Large number of buyers and sellers
    • Products sold by each firm are close substitutes
    • Low barrier to entry
    • No control over price charged
    • Free flow of information (nature of products, availability at different outlets, prices, method of production of cost)
  • Main disadvantage to a firm operating in a competitive market
    Amount of profit made will be limited. Prices are likely to be lower and the potential for profit also lower.
  • Competitive market

    • Large number of buyers and sellers
    • Products sold by each firm are close substitutes
    • Low barrier to entry
    • No control over price charged
    • Free flow of information (nature of products, availability at different outlets, prices, method of production of cost)
  • Prices in a competitive market
    Likely to be lower
  • Potential for profit in a competitive market
    Also lower
  • Advantages of a competitive market
    • Efficiency: resources will be allocated more effectively. Firms have to operate efficiently to survive. They are under the pressure to keep their costs down so that their prices are lower.
    • More innovations: It is argued that firms in competitive markets are more innovative because innovative firms can get a competitive edge over rivals=> the firms will develop new products, new production techniques, new technologies and materials.
    • Lower prices: firms cannot overcharge customers because the market is full of good substitutes and customers can easily switch from one supplier to the other.
    • More choices: There are many alternative suppliers. Where possible, each supplier is likely to differentiate the product from those of rivals
    • Better quality: consumers are rational, they consider both price and quality of products when deciding what to buy.
  • Disadvantages of a competitive market

    • Lack of innovation: since firms make less profit in competitive market => they may not have enough profit to invest in product development
    • Market uncertainty: unprofitable firms have to leave the market
    • Resources might be wasted: because some factors of production are immobile. When firms cease trading in a competitive market, resources are released for alternative uses.