Network effects, aftermarkets and the Coase conjecture: A dynamic Markovian approach

Didier Laussel (), Ngo Long and Joana Resende

International Journal of Industrial Organization, 2015, vol. 41, issue C, 84-96

Abstract: This paper investigates the expansion of the network of a monopolist firm that produces a durable good and is also involved in the corresponding aftermarket. We characterize the Markov Perfect Equilibrium of the continuous time dynamic game played by the monopolist and the forward-looking consumers, under the assumption that consumers benefit from the subsequent expansion of the network. The paper contributes to the theoretical discussion on the validity of the Coase conjecture, analyzing whether Coase's prediction that the monopolist serves the market in a “twinkling of an eye” remains valid in our setup. We conclude that the equilibrium network development may actually be gradual, contradicting Coase's conjecture. We find that a necessary condition for such a result is the existence of aftermarket network effects that accrue (at least partly) to the monopolist firm.

Keywords: Durable good; Network externalities; Aftermarkets; Coase conjecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L12 L14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Network effects, aftermarkets and the Coase conjecture: A dynamic Markovian approach (2015)
Working Paper: Network Effects, Aftermarkets and the Coase Conjecture: A Dynamic Markovian Approach (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:indorg:v:41:y:2015:i:c:p:84-96

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2015.06.001

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