Dear colleagues,

The Department of Economics cordially invites you to the WU Economics Research Seminar on Wednesday, November 22^nd, with

Michael Irlacher

(JKU Linz)

on

"Multiproduct Firms, Horizontal Mergers, and International Trade"

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of mergers on the product mix of multiproduct firms. We open the black box of post-merger efficiency improvements to reveal a new margin of adjustment along the product dimension. Using detailed Danish data, we establish empirically that the combined domestic product scope of the acquirer and target falls after a merger, and sales become more concentrated towards the core product. Moreover, the acquirer exports more products to more destinations that are costly to serve. To rationalize these findings, we develop a model of mergers between oligopolistic firms, highlighting merger-induced within-firm adjustments that promote international trade.

Date: Wednesday, November 22^nd

Time: 4.30 to 6 pm (CET)

Location: building D3, ground floor, room D3.0.218

With best regards,

Harald Oberhofer

---

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Harald Oberhofer

Department of Economics 

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

Phone: +43/1/31336-4984

Email: harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at

Webpage: https://www.wu.ac.at/ie/mitarbeiter/harald-oberhofer/

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO)

Phone: +43/1/7982601-468

Email: harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at

Webpage: http://www.wifo.ac.at/harald_oberhofer