SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Dominant Firms GCSE ECONOMICS: UNIT 12

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Today you will... Find out what it means to be a dominant firm? Analyse the reasons for market dominance

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES The final section of the course The topic title is ‘Dominant firms: Impact on consumers and producers plus issues of control and regulation’ You are required to research market dominance in the following markets: – games consoles – energy production – broadcasting/television/telecommunications – Supermarkets – Transport You should focus on issues in your local area and in the UK You should restrict your study to the last ten years You should use a variety of data (both statistical and non-statistical) in your research

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES How will you work.... Each lesson you will investigate key topics associated with dominant firms The final task will involve summarising and presenting the results of your investigation Don’t worry, this final task will be completed in pairs!

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 1: What is a dominant firm? Find out using the internet what it means to be a dominant firm in a market In each of the markets below find out who are the dominant firms in that market for the UK – games consoles – energy production, – broadcasting/television/telecommunications – Supermarkets – Transport The software you use to collect your results is up to you!

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES What does this mean?

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Telecommunications: what does it all mean? Source: Ofcom

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 2: What are the reasons for market dominance? A firm or firms might dominate a market as a result of a takeover or merger or because the firm was the first to develop a particular product or service or for geographical reasons For each of the dominant firms you identified in Task 1 explain the reasons for their dominance in their market

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 3: Maintaining dominations Firms maintain their dominance in a number of ways – Aggressive advertising – Use of patents – Predatory or limited pricing Complete Task 1.2 in your Student Workbook Extension Task: find, print and highlight articles from the internet on the positive impact of dominant firms on consumers

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 4: The Impact of Dominant Firms on consumers Dominant firms can have both a positive and negative impact on consumers For example, the dominant firm Apple is able to invest in R & D to develop new and innovative products This R & D is only made possible given the huge profits which have been generated from its dominant position its technological markets In your small groups product an A3 poster which details and illustrates the positive and negative impact of dominant firms on consumers Include examples throughout your work!

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 5 : The Impact on producers or suppliers to these Dominant Firms Dominant firms have both positive and negative effects on the suppliers/producers who provide them with raw materials, products and services For example the dominant UK supermarkets provide farmers with guaranteed markets for their products However the same dominant supermarkets may force these farmers to accept lower prices Produce an informational leaflet (one side of A4) on the impact of market dominance on the suppliers/producers in UK markets Include examples from the 5 markets we are focussing on

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 6: How are dominant firms controlled and regulated? The UK government tries to control (regulate) dominant firms For example two UK organisations which have been setup to do this are; – The Office of Fair Trading – T he Competition Commission The question to you is…’how does the UK government control dominant firms?’ Open and complete the document called ‘Regulation of dominant firms in the UK’

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 7: Regulation…good or bad? There are both arguments for and against the regulation and control of UK dominant firms For example, regulation can often stifle firms incentives to invest in research and development if it knows it will not be rewarded for its efforts through the award of patents or the freedom to set a higher price for its goods of services Create a poster or presentation on the arguments FOR and AGAINST regulation & control of UK dominant firm

SECTION 2 CURRENT ECONOMIC ISSUES Task 8: AQA Web Resources AQA has given you a range of resources for you to read and analyse Two were linked in the Task you submitted for homework In groups I want you to look at the remaining resources and complete the following; 1.Identify any reference to dominant firms 2.Identify any reference to consumers in the article and how they are affected 3.Identify any reference to producers/suppliers in the article and how they are affected 4.Identify any reference to regulation or regulatory firms in the article and how they are affected 5.Summarise the article in 5 key sentences