Quantifying the scope for efficiency defense in merger control: The Werden-Froeb-Index

Authors
Publication date 2008
Journal The Journal of Industrial Economics
Volume | Issue number LVI | 4
Pages (from-to) 778-808
Organisations
  • Interfacultary Research - Amsterdam Center for Law & Economics (ACLE)
  • Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) - Amsterdam Business School Research Institute (ABS-RI)
  • Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) - Amsterdam School of Economics Research Institute (ASE-RI)
Abstract This paper introduces the Werden-Froeb Index (WFI) to assist in evaluating merger-specific efficiencies in horizontal mergers. The index measures the weighted average reduction in marginal costs required to restore pre-merger equilibrium prices and quantities after the (full or partial) merger is consummated. The WFI is well defined, objective and robust, and it has relatively low information requirements. We propose to use the index as a natural complement to concentration measures such as the Hirschmann-Herfindahl Index in the assessment of horizontal mergers.
Document type Article
Published at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6451.2008.00360.x
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