Markup dynamics and productivity in selected markets
production function, productivity, markup, north american airlines, steel industry in Brazil
The present thesis is divided into three chapters that have the common objective of studying the evolution of productivity and markups over time for selected industries, as well as discussing the procedures for the estimation of production functions. The initial chapter provides a literature review regarding the methodologies for estimating production functions and markups at the firm level. The second chapter investigates the evolution of productivity and markups of US passenger airlines from 1995 to 2019. The results indicate that the entry of Low-Cost carriers initially increased the level of competition in the sector, resulting in a reduction in markups during the period 1996-2008. The increase in fuel prices during this period also contributed to this reduction in markup, as airlines faced difficulties in passing cost increases to ticket prices. However, the sector later underwent several mergers and acquisitions, which apparently reduced the level of competition and led to an increase in markups. Lastly, the third chapter addresses the Brazilian steel industry during the period 1990-1998, a period marked by intense sector restructuring. During this period, noteworthy events include the privatization of major steel companies, administrative rationalization, subsequent corporate consolidation, and the movement towards trade liberalization in the first half of the decade. Despite these transformations, there was no significant improvement in productive efficiency in the Brazilian steel industry during this period. On the other hand, there was a substantial reduction in the dispersion of both productivity and markups, indicating an improvement in allocative efficiency within the sector. Thus, despite the significant increase in market concentration during the period, market power decreased.