Nonlinear dynamics in a Cournot duopoly with relative profit delegation

Abstract

This paper analyses the dynamics of a nonlinear Cournot duopoly with managerial delegation and homogeneous players. We assume that the owners of both firms hire a manager and delegate output decisions to him or her. Each manager receives a fixed salary plus a bonus based on relative (profit) performance. Managers of both firms may collude or compete. In cases of both collusion and a low degree of competition, we find that synchronised dynamics take place. However, when the degree of competition is high, the dynamics may undergo symmetry-breaking bifurcations, which can cause significant global phenomena. Specifically, there is on–off intermittency and blow-out bifurcations for several parameter values. In addition, several attractors may coexist. The global behaviour of the noninvertible map is investigated through studying a transverse Lyapunov exponent and the folding action of the critical curves of the map. These phenomena are impossible under profit maximisation.