Markets, Contracts and Hierarchies: How Bargaining Frictions Affect Governance

Tore Ellingsen, Topi Miettinen

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract

We develop an organizational governance model with a single buyer and endogenous
upstream entry. Investments and control rights over assets and actions are immediately contractable; production is contractable after uncertainty resolves. We show the following: Supplier competition eliminates pre-entry bargaining frictions. To minimize post-entry bargaining frictions, control rights over assets and actions are always bundled. If entry is sufficiently cheap, there is frictionless post-entry competition, sometimes due to buyer sponsorship. Otherwise, only one supplier enters. There is vertical integration if the asset’s expected profitability is highest in the buyer’s favorite use; if not, the buyer contracts with an autonomous supplier.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationHelsinki
PublisherHelsinki Graduate School of Economics
EditionRevised
Number of pages32
ISBN (Electronic)978-952-7543-35-1
Publication statusPublished - 2026
MoE publication typeD4 Published development or research report or study

Publication series

NameHelsinki GSE Discussion Papers
No.36
ISSN (Electronic)2952-1492

Keywords

  • 511 Economics
  • transaction cost
  • property right
  • relationship specificity
  • organization
  • bargaining
  • vertical integration
  • governance
  • inefficiency
  • master supply agreement
  • managed market

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