IS PRICE DISCRIMINATION ONLY PRACTICED IN THE MONOPOLY MARKET STRUCTURE?
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Author(s):
DR. SHILPA DEO
Vol - 10, Issue- 6 ,
Page(s) : 74 - 80
(2019 )
DOI : https://doi.org/10.32804/IRJMST
Abstract
In this article, an attempt has been made to point out certain revelations regarding price discrimination that is not explicitly laid down in the literature so far. Price discrimination is practiced in all the market structures in some or the other form. Though, examples are widely used to explain price discrimination being carried out in various market structures, it is not explicitly mentioned in the literature that price discrimination is carried out by producers of all the market structures (including monopoly). In addition to this, the first degree price discrimination is only beneficial for the monopolists as the entire consumer surplus is extracted. However, in case of the second degree price discrimination, both the producers and consumers gain through the exchange of goods and / or services. An attempt has also been made to explain the way in which price discrimination is carried out even in the perfectly competitive market structure. Furthermore, oligopolists may have more monopoly power than the monopolistically competitive firms. However, it would be lesser than the power enjoyed by the monopolists. Moreover, the extent of monopoly power will differ even within oligopoly when we take the type of goods and services provided into consideration. Finally, big data will certainly help firms to enhance their monopoly power of getting into price discrimination. However, price discrimination should not be the strategy that will be used by firms while providing very basic services that are highly essential for the survival of human beings and ultimately for the economic development of the country.
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