Industrial Organization and Public Policy
Research Papers
Winter 2004


The Athletic Shoe Industry  by Tim Herman
My industry covers the athletic shoe manufactures. In researching the paper, I was able to find a wide range of sources, particularly internet sources for the newest information. After researching I found that the biggest tool in selling athletic shoes is the marketing and advertising that goes into the industry, while also finding that almost all shoes are made by Asian subcontrators.

Medical Devices, Instruments, and Supplies: Industry Profile By: Drew D. Moore
Abstract:  The medical device and supplies industry is interesting to study because it draws from many other industries, including pharmaceuticals and electronics.  While its research and development, government regulations, and international trade resemble the pharmaceutical industry, medical devices are unique in regards to the emphasis put on technological innovation.  The market for medical supplies and devices is expected to be extremely dynamic in the near future with the aging U.S. population and increased incomes throughout the developing world, leading to increased demand.  At the same time it is believed that the increased presence of managed health care will lead to overall price decreases.  However, the medical device and supplies industry appears to be poised for large growth over the next couple decades.

An Analysis of the Bottled Water Industry by Kristyn Buhl
Abstract:  This is an analysis of the ever-growing bottled water industry.  It is a market that is very confusing to consumers so it is highly regulated by the FDA.  Many of these rules deal with water quality as well as bottle labels, but there is also a lot of monitoring of monopolization and collusion.

Fluid Milk Production by Kelly Martin
The U.S. dairy industry has underwent dramatic restructuring over the past decades as a result of changes in the milk system by technology, economies of scale, and specialization.  Key structural features of the dairy industry are the quantity of milk produced and the location, number, size, and organization of dairy farms.  Government policies are the foundation to understanding the industry.  Milk pricing has been dependent on the characteristics of milk and the forces of supply and demand that have been influenced by federal and state dairy programs.  Overall, dairy farms continue to grow, come more concentrated in certain areas, and become more specialized in producing milk.  

An Overview of the U.S. Fertilizer Industry by Christopher M. Elliott
Abstract:  This paper analyzes the past, present and future situation of the fertilizer industry within the United States.  From mining to distribution this papers aims to cover the entire industry and how it is evolved throughout the years to what it is today.  In describing the future of the industry analysis concerning growth and future international developments is implemented.

The Guitar Manufacturing Industry by Alana Shaw
Abstract: There are four main firms that dominate the guitar manufacturing industry: C.F. Martin and Co., Gibson Guitar Corp., Fender Musical Instruments, and Taylor Guitars. These companies have large economies of scale and are vertically integrated. There is a great deal of product differentiation in the guitar manufacturing industry, and in recent years, there has been a high consumer demand for relatively low-priced guitars, which sell for under $1,000.

Bottled Water Industry by Josh Pfau
The bottled water industry is one of great change and growth.  As the market develops, the companies evolve along with it.  Four main companies have come to rule the market by holding several brands and keeping their power through economies of scale.

Bottled Water: A Brief Overview of the Industry by Radhika Khiroya
This website addresses how the bottled water industry has changed over time in terms of market structure.  It primarily addresses the history of the industry, the production process and vertical integration to bottle water, the current market structure and concentration, and the estimated future market trends.

The Cigarette Industry by Michelle Lester
ABSTRACT:  The cigarette industry is one of the most intriguing industries in the United States today.  It is frequently in the news, due to the constant barrage of regulation of the product itself, advertising and marketing of the product, and health issues regarding the product.  The industry is also the focus of antitrust accusations and litigation.  The cigarette industry is also interesting due to the dynamic of the market structure.  Not many other industries have such barriers to entry and such a tight oligopoly.

“Mmm…Chocolate” by Matt Bowman
This paper looks at the structure of the chocolate industry.  By examining the history of the industry, the current structure is more easily understood.  The industry is very concentrated, with Hershey and Mars being the two major players.

The Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Industry by John Krajacic
Abstract:  The U.S. Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert industry manufactures products loved by people of all ages and ethnicities.  The implementation of modern technology and distribution networks have brought ice cream from an exotic dessert only available to the elite to a treat that everyone can enjoy.  Today the industry has evolved into a highly competitive market with companies utilizing mergers, joint ventures, vertical integration and other strategies to gain an edge with consumers.

The Cigarette Industry By Alec Zaki
The tobacco industry is highly concentrated and dominated by only a handful of firms that rest behind strong barriers to entry.  These firms engage in heavy and aggressive advertising and promotion in efforts to increase demand and steal one another’s customers.  Thus, overall, the cigarette industry remains very profitable and very economically significant, especially considering its contributions to both state and federal revenues.  And despite a long history of health-related regulation, public and government efforts to punish/harm tobacco firms, and numerous forms of litigation, the cigarette industry will continue to be a prominent industry for some time to come.

The Photographic Film Industry: A Case Study
by Leah Harris
The photographic film industry began with the Kodak Company, which dominated the market for the first half of the twentieth century.  In the late 1970s, Fuji emerged as a strong competitor and forced Kodak to downsize as well as make aggressive pricing decisions to maintain market dominance.  This, however, has been unsuccessful, and Kodak has continued to lose their share of the market.

Brief Analysis of the Plastics Manufacturing Industry by CAROLYN STROUD
Structure, Policies, and the Bottom LineThis paper analyses the organization of the plastics manufacturing industry.  It addresses current policy as well as technical issues that face this industry.  It includes a description of the steps of production that any plastic product might experience as well as that of the market concentration with regard to the number and size of the firms in the plastics industry.  This paper ends with some of the problems that have arisen in the plastics product manufacturing market as raw material prices rise and margins deteriorate. 

The Sporting Goods Industry by Emily Schoolmaster
My research project was about the sporting goods industry. This industry includes all sporting goods equipment except for apparel and shoes. One thing that sets this industry apart from many industries is that is is relatively unconcentrated with a fifty firm Herfindahl index of only 161.1. I found that some of the most important concepts for this industry are product differentiation, and technological advancements.

The Snack Food Industry by Nick Stonerook
Abstract:  This paper looks at different industrial organization and policy issues using the
     snack food industry as a model.  Important topics disscussed here include product
     differentiation, economies of scale, patent protection, the FDA's role and product
     substitution.  The snack food industry was found to be a tight knit oligopoly with
     many barriers to entry, when trying to compete on a national level.

The Paper Manufacturing Industry (WORD document) by Matthew L. Jarboe
The purpose of the paper is to analyze the economics of the paper industry through the various elements of its market structure and related governmental policies.

Nike and the Athletic Shoe Market by Scott Whitbeck
The athletic shoes market can be categorized as a loose oligopoly.  There are a few major firms, but none holds more than twenty five percent of the market.  Product differentiation is a major factor.  With athletic shoes, especially in isolated fields like running and basketball, the difference in technology between shoes is minimal.  How companies are able to control more market share is through advertising and a little bit of fashion.

The Explosives Industry by  JJ Jansons
The main feature of the explosives industry is the wide variety of product differentiation.  This would not be important if it was not for the extensive research and development that has created the efficient production process in the explosives industry. 

The Cigarette Industry by Deanna Werner
Abstract - The cigarette industry is one of the most highly concentrated industries.  Despite new anti-smoking efforts, regulations, litigation, and the overall decline in industry sales, cigarette manufacturing still has a 38 percent profit margin, one of the highest of any industry.  It will continue to remain the highly concentrated, highly profitable industry that it is.

The Office Furniture Market by Tim Cowley
The purpose of my paper was to look at the office furniture industry and see how firms reacted to one another, as well as consumer markets and government influences. The data found supports it to be a monopolistically competitive market, and the dynamics show the importance of technology use and research and development


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updated March 15, 2004