https://www.db-thueringen.de/receive/dbt_mods_00068648https://www.db-thueringen.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/dbt_derivate_00070046/fspor-07-1696686.pdfhttps://www.db-thueringen.de/rsc/thumbnail/dbt_mods_00068648.png text article An analysis of the market for diving certificates article Daumann, Frank Daumann Frank aut Author 130030538 Chair of Sports Economics and Health Economics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany Klöcker, Julian Alexander Klöcker Julian Alexander aut Author 1287945619 Chair of Sports Economics and Health Economics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany Schurade, Malte Schurade Malte aut Author 1236363825 Chair of Sports Economics and Health Economics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany urn:nbn:de:gbv:27-dbt-68648-2 10.3389/fspor.2025.1696686 2025-12-10 7 1696686 continuingjournal journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living Front. Sports Act. Living 2624-9367 Frontiers Media S.A. 2019 Lausanne text en 796 his Host institution Purpose The market for recreational diving certificates is characterized by a small number of global providers and standardized products. Understanding how market structure influences firm behavior and market outcomes is essential for evaluating competitiveness and potential policy interventions. This study examines the market for diving certificates through the lens of the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) Paradigm. It seeks to understand the role of entry barriers and market concentration in shaping competition and performance in this niche market. Methods The analysis examines structural conditions and resulting market outcomes by using secondary data, industry characteristics and theoretical SCP reasoning. Special attention is given to network effects, proprietary training systems and certification standardization as sources of entry barriers. Results and Conclusion Findings indicate that competition is limited by substantial entry barriers, enabling the dominant provider, PADI, to maintain considerable market power. Despite this concentration, technical efficiency and training quality remain consistently high across providers. However, monopolistic pricing strategies lead to allocative and distributive inefficiencies. Because training quality is maintained and consumer preferences are diverse, direct regulatory intervention appears unnecessary. diving certificates SCP-paradigm market concentration SCUBA diving market analysis en 14 Seiten 796 his Host institution bibliography Zweitveröffentlichung dbt_mods_00068648https://www.db-thueringen.de/receive/dbt_mods_00068648