📚 Learning Guide
Game Theory and Oligopolies
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A firm in an oligopoly is considering whether to lower its prices to gain market share. Which of the following categories best describes this strategic decision, and why?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Dominant Strategy - because it ensures the firm will always win regardless of competitors' actions.

B

Nash Equilibrium - as it represents a stable state where no firm has an incentive to change their strategy unilaterally.

C

Payoff Matrix - since it involves calculating potential outcomes based on various price adjustments.

D

Collusion - because it indicates an agreement among firms to set prices in a cooperative manner.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In an oligopoly, a few firms dominate the market, and their decisions are closely linked. When one firm considers lowering its prices to attract more customers, it must think about how other firms will react. This situation can be understood using game theory, which studies how players make decisions in strategic situations. For example, if one company lowers its prices, competitors might also lower theirs to keep their customers, leading to a price war that can hurt all firms' profits. Therefore, this strategic decision is categorized as a game of competitive strategy, where each firm's actions depend on the expected reactions of others.

Detailed Explanation

This choice is right because it looks at different outcomes based on price changes. Other options are incorrect because Some might think a dominant strategy always wins; People may believe Nash Equilibrium means no one should change their strategy.

Key Concepts

Game Theory
Oligopolies
Strategic Decision-Making
Topic

Game Theory and Oligopolies

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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