Differentiated Bertrand competition

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As a solution to the Bertrand paradox in economics, it has been suggested that each firm produces a somewhat differentiated product, and consequently faces a demand curve that is downward-sloping for all levels of the firm's price.

An increase in a competitor's price is represented as an increase (for example, an upward shift) of the firm's demand curve.

As a result, when a competitor raises price, generally a firm can also raise its own price and increase its profits.

[edit] Calculating the differentiated Bertrand model

  • q1 = firm 1’s demand, *q1≥0
  • q2 = firm 2’s demand, *q1≥0
  • A1 = Constant in equation for firm 1’s demand
  • A2 = Constant in equation for firm 2’s demand
  • a1 = slope coefficient for firm 1’s price
  • a2 = slope coefficient for firm 2’s price
  • p1 = firm 1’s price level pr unit
  • p2 = firm 2’s price level pr unit
  • b1 = slope coefficient for how much price firm 2's affects firm 1's demand
  • b2 = slope coefficient for how much price firm 1's affects firm 2's demand


  • q1=A1-a1*p1+b1*p2
  • q2=A2-a2*p2+b2*p1

Image:Berntrand_differenciated.jpg


[edit] Uses

Merger simulation models ordinarily assume differentiated Bertrand competition within a market that includes the merging firms.

[edit] See also


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