are technological developments making perfect competition more realistic

A quality of Perfect competition is having perfect knowledge across the market between suppliers and producers, and PC is becoming more realistic as technology developes. This is because internet access enables competitor firms in markets the ability to access more information about their rivals; such as prices, production methods, and the future of its good/services. An example of this occurring is when a bank developed a commercial app- to which other bank firms are made aware of this via internet: to which they respond to by also creating an app to ensure no net loss of consumers. Through the internet, strategic barriers to entry are lowered as sunk costs are decreased due to firms needing to spend less money on R&D, because information is readily available. This acts as a signal for more firms to enter the market, as it is now considerably easier to do so- making markets more similar to PC- which has an infinite amount of suppliers.
However, on the other hand, technology may be leading the opposite way- to monopoly production. This is because technological breakthroughs may lead to firms patenting new inventions, for example- Dyson has copyrights over its products, allowing it to dominate the hoover sector. These patents increase statutory barriers to entry- making the market more imperfect, and the new invention may cause a change in consumer preference, eg if the new invention offers better & cheaper products than its rivals. This firm may further secure their monopoly position in a market by carrying out predatory pricing tactics- undercutting rivals further to reduce incentive for new firms to enter the market. Rivals may not be able to compete and face market shutdown. Therefore technology actually makes perfect competition less realistic.

Answered by millie a. Economics tutor

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