What type of misconduct does collusion represent?

Collusion represents illegal cooperation for competitive advantage. This usually occurs when two or more parties secretly work together to manipulate outcomes in a way that is detrimental to fair competition. In the context of business, this can involve setting prices, limiting production, or dividing markets among themselves to secure a more favorable position, effectively undermining the principles of open and fair competition.

The fundamental nature of collusion is that it is clandestine and seeks to achieve benefits that would not be possible in a competitive marketplace. By working together in this manner, the involved parties can engage in practices that could lead to increased profits at the expense of consumers and other competitors who are playing by the rules. This is why it is categorized as misconduct—it violates ethical norms of fair competition and often legal regulations designed to protect market integrity.