What economic concept does "collusion" refer to?

Collusion refers to a situation where two or more firms engage in secret agreements or cooperative actions to limit competition among themselves. This often involves practices such as fixing prices, limiting production, or dividing markets, which ultimately leads to higher prices and reduced options for consumers. By secretly coordinating their actions, colluding firms can increase their collective profits at the expense of market fairness and competition, undermining the fundamental principles of a free market economy.

In contrast, open competition among businesses generally fosters innovation and better prices for consumers, while collaboration on research and development is usually considered a positive aspect of business activity that can lead to technological advancements. Negotiations for pricing agreements, while they can inherently involve discussions around prices, do not necessarily imply the same level of secrecy and anticompetitive intention as collusion. Therefore, recognizing collusion specifically as secret agreements helps distinguish it from other business practices that might not have the same negative impact on competition.