Monopolistic competition is a market model that involves many companies offering differentiated products (differing in quality, branding, style, and reputation) and competing with each other. The goods or services they provide to their customers are similar but aren't substitute goods. Show
Why is monopolistic competition inefficient?This market model is a type of imperfect competition and is considered inefficient because of selling costs, excess capacity, lack of specialization, and unemployment. It's worth noting that firms engaged in this kind of market system often spend significant sums of money on advertising. This step isn't crucial since it increases the price of a product or service and makes a company lose leads and customers. The resources often lie idle because companies don't fully use their production capacity despite it being large. This leads to unemployment because workers have nothing to do. Since mass production is a complicated process, companies can't fully exploit their fixed factors, and it results in firms demonstrating excess capacity. In the long and short run, these businesses show that they are productively inefficient. Now that we have cleared that up, it's time to proceed to the features of monopolistic competition. Characteristics of Monopolistic Competition
Let's explore the characteristics of this market structure that will enable you to understand the principles of monopolistic competition.
Now when you are acquainted with the features, let's make the difference between monopolistic competition and a monopoly clear. Monopolistic Competition vs. MonopolyIn this section, we'll review two market systems. First and foremost, you should remember that these market models can be distinguished by the number of players, the presence or absence of competition, barriers to entry, and profits. So let's dive in. Monopolistic CompetitionIt is a market model in which many sellers provide products or services that are slightly different from competitors'. These products are not perfect substitutes since they can differ in branding, style, or quality. New companies can easily enter or leave this competitive environment as the barriers to entry are low. This system combines some characteristics of a monopoly and perfect competition. Companies in monopolistic competition are price makers, but they don't possess a big market share. This market structure can be found in industries the products of which you use in your everyday life, including restaurants, barbershops, clothing stores, or hotels. MonopolyIt is a market structure in which there is only one seller that dominates the industry. Companies in monopolies usually have an advantage over possible competitors since they are the only providers of goods or services in particular industries and control most of the market share. The firm that operates a monopoly is a price maker, which means that this company decides and sets the price for its goods or services. Besides, its owner can raise the price at will. In monopolistic competition, you can find two and more sellers that compete with each other, whereas in a monopoly, there is only one seller. If compared with a monopoly where a company has to comply with the high standards to enter or exit, monopolistic competition has low barriers to entry, which enables businesses to join the market easily. Now that you know the difference, let's proceed to the next section, where you'll get to know who is responsible for setting the price in this market model. Who sets the price in monopolistic competition?Since each company produces a unique product that slightly differs from the competitors' alternatives, it can decide whether to charge customers more or less money for this product. Unlike companies in oligopoly, firms in this market structure shouldn't collude to set the prices and are independent. Companies often use advertising to compete with their rivals and win the trust and love of their customers. Ads allow firms to inform consumers about their products and show how they differ from other companies' goods. Let's move to the advantages and disadvantages of this market model. Advantages and Disadvantages of Monopolistic CompetitionRestaurants and clothing stores, hair salons, hotels, and pubs operate under monopolistic competition. Just like any other market model, it has its pros and cons. It's essential to be aware of those before entering this market structure. The advantagesof monopolistic competition include:
The disadvantagesinclude:
Let's now move to the examples to understand how it all works. Examples of Monopolistic CompetitionYou can find this type of market structure in your day-to-day life, and now we'll prove it with some examples.
Simply put, monopolistic competition is often considered inefficient because of the excess funds companies spend on advertising and publicity instead of increasing the quality of their products. However, this market model is realistic because many companies offer differentiated goods, and there are still barriers to entry, albeit very low. That's why you can see a lot of examples of such businesses around you. Resources:
Last Updated: 04.07.2022 What is the difference between perfect competition and monopolistic?Key Takeaways:
In a monopolistic market, there is only one firm that dictates the price and supply levels of goods and services. A perfectly competitive market is composed of many firms, where no one firm has market control.
What is the difference between perfect competition and competition?In perfect competition, the demand and supply forces determine the price for the whole industry and every firm sells its product at that price. In monopolistic competition, every firm offers products at its own price.
What are the differences and similarities between monopolistic competition and perfect competition?Perfectly competitive markets have no barriers of entry or exit. Monopolistically competitive markets have a few barriers of entry and exit. The two markets are similar in terms of elasticity of demand, a firm's ability to make profits in the long-run, and how to determine a firm's profit maximizing quantity condition.
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