How Communication Makes the Difference between a Cartel and Tacit Collusion: A Machine Learning Approach

Discussion Papers 2000, 57 S.

Maximilian Andres, Lisa Bruttel, Jana Friedrichsen

2022

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Published in: European Economic Review 152 (2023), 104331

Abstract

This paper sheds new light on the role of communication for cartel formation. Using machine learning to evaluate free-form chat communication among firms in a laboratory experiment, we identify typical communication patterns for both explicit cartel formation and indirect attempts to collude tacitly. We document that firms are less likely to communicate explicitly about price fixing and more likely to use indirect messages when sanctioning institutions are present. This effect of sanctions on communication reinforces the direct cartel-deterring effect of sanctions as collusion is more difficult to reach and sustain without an explicit agreement. Indirect messages have no, or even a negative, effect on prices.



JEL-Classification: C92;D43;L41
Keywords: cartel, collusion, communication, machine learning, experiment
Frei zugängliche Version: (econstor)
http://hdl.handle.net/10419/251797

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