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
Chuck Stull's homepage
Department of Economics
homepage
Questions, problems, or comments?
email: cstull@kzoo.edu
updated March 15, 2004