Economics 14/e   McConnell
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Chapter 24 Web-Based Questions

24-13 Web-based question  

Microsoft—Is It a Monopoly? Microsoft is often accused of having a monopoly in the personal computer software industry. However like most firms Microsoft is a multiproduct company. Go to Computer Shopper’s Netbuyer http://www.netbuyer.com/ and search for companies which compete with Microsoft in marketing the following software: operating systems applications suites (word processing spreadsheet and database software bundled together) and Internet/Online software (Web browsers and Web design packages). Does Microsoft have a monopoly in any of these areas? Is there a correlation between the maturity of the software area (operating systems are more mature than browsers) and the number of competitors?

24-14 Web-based question  

Duke Energy—How Does a Monopoly Advertise? Duke Energy Corporation is a global energy company with more than $20 billion in assets. Many of its units are regulated public utilities and are good examples of natural monopolies. What is their advertising message at http://www.duke-energy.com/? How does it differ from a nonmonopoly? Can you find any examples of Duke Energy units using advertising to actually decrease the demand for their products or services? Why might they do this?

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