To the Microeconomic Climate in the CR at the Beginning of 21 th century : A Cartel of Suppliers of Petrol? (case study)
Abstract
Case study views charge by the antimonopoly authority against Czech dominant sellers of fuel in the late 1990s. Possibilities to prove cartel by comparison of individual prices or by reviewing of dynamics of individual receipts and profits are discussed.
The fact, that one cannot distinguish between the illegal cartel and the legal price following (Stackelberg´s oligopoly), which is more advantageous then price competition (Bertrand´s oligopoly) is the most problematical. The price following can be a result of profit maximization by competitors without cartel arrangement.
The cartel is not excluded, but it is very difficult to be proved.