Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/26008 
Year of Publication: 
2007
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 1963
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Incumbent firms have two basic possibilities to improve their competitive position in the product market: investment in R&D and the creation of entry barriers to the disadvantage of potential rivals, e.g. through lobbying activities, campaign contributions, bribes or the adoption of incompatible technologies. This paper proposes a simple oligopoly model which raises the possibility that such anti-competitive conduct and R&D investment are complementary activities for incumbents. Consequently, an institutional framework or technological possibilities which encourage anti-competitive conduct, although impeding entry of potential rivals and accentuating standard oligopoly distortions, may foster R&D-based growth and welfare. However, this outcome is less likely if entrants exert technological spillover effects, e.g. through foreign direct investment. Stronger protection of intellectual property rights, although triggering anti-competitive conduct and thereby impeding market entry as well, is more likely to foster economic growth.
JEL: 
L13
O31
O40
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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