VERTICAL SEPARATION REVISITED

Abstract

A differentiated product is commoditized over time. We investigate the impacts of product commoditization and a change in bargaining power between upstream and downstream firms on the choice between vertical separation and integration. We demonstrate first that vertical separation by the upstream firm dominates vertical integration if and only if the upstream firm’s bargaining power is below a certain threshold. Second, the upstream firm’s gain from vertical separation decreases with its own bargaining power and the degree of product commoditization. Third, however, product commoditization marginally diminishes the loss in the gain from vertical separation due to a higher bargaining power of the upstream firm.