180 likes | 358 Views
Vertical Chain. Vertical Integration. The degree to which the firm controls the chain. Vertical Integration. Upstream Integration – towards raw materials. Vertical Integration. Downstream Integration – towards end customer. Boundaries of the Firm.
E N D
Vertical Integration The degree to which the firm controls the chain.
Vertical Integration Upstream Integration – towards raw materials
Vertical Integration Downstream Integration – towards end customer
Boundaries of the Firm The question for a firm is “Where to draw the boundary.” The answer is closely tied to material in CH 3. Expanding is integrating Contracting is outsourcing
Outsourcing • South Park – “They took our jobs” http://www.gofish.com/userVideoPlayer.gfp?gfid=30-1015163 • Dell expanding in India - http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/technology/21dell.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1143497181-q6B42De9MThtS0g2ZNxwqA • The Dubai Ports deal. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/09/port.security/ • A guide to best practice by Accenture: http://www.accenture.com/xdoc/en/services/outsourcing/ps/global/landing_ps.pdf
Should a firm vertically integrate? Pros of doing it in-house Avoid double markup problem Upstream Firm: MC=10 and No Fixed Cost Downstream Firm: P= 110-Q, MR=110-2Q Only cost to D is price set by U
Double Mark Up Problem What will MC to D look like? Given a price set by U, what quantity will D buy? $/q PD MCU MRD q
Double Mark Up Problem $/q So MRD=PUMRU=110-4Q What quantity will be traded? How much will each firm earn? PD MCU MRU MRD=PU q
Double Mark Up Problem $/q Profits U: 50x25=1250 Profits D: 25x25= 625 PD = 85 PU = 60 PD MCU MRU MRD=PU q QD =25
Double Mark Up Problem with Vertical Integration Profits: 50x50 = 2500 & Consumer Surplus Increased $/q P= 60 P MC MR Q=50 q
Other ways to Avoid Double Mark-up Resale Price Maintenance: Up stream firm sets price that downstream firm can charge. Manufactures Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Two-part Tariff
Should a firm vertically integrate? Pros of doing it in-house No Hold Up Problem ex: U invests ($5M) in equipment and training to produce component (MC= $1) specific to D. The investment becomes a sunk cost for U. D could offer only $2 on 1M units. U would take it as it increases profits, but overall U earns a loss. Therefore, U is hesitant of undertaking this investment.
Should a firm vertically integrate? Pros of doing it in-house Minimize Supply Disruptions Reduced Externalities Monitoring Quality Lower Contracting and Transaction Costs Taxes and Regulation Centralized Decision Making
Should a firm vertically integrate? Pros of outsourcing Flexible Economies of Scale Specialized Knowledge Decentralized Decision Making Focus on Core Competencies
Asset specificity, uncertainty, and the procurement decision
Other Vertical Relationships Hybrid Arrangements Strategic Alliances Long Term Contracting Joint Ventures