Discrete adjustment to a changing environment: Experimental evidence

Mel Win Khaw, Luminita Stevens and Michael Woodford

Journal of Monetary Economics, 2017, vol. 91, issue C, 88-103

Abstract: A laboratory experiment illustrates cognitive limitations in decision-making that may be relevant for modeling price-setting. Our subjects systematically depart from the optimal Bayesian response in several respects. Their responses are random, even conditioning on available information. Subjects adjust in discrete jumps rather than after each new piece of information, and by both large and small amounts, contrary to the predictions of an “Ss” model of optimal adjustment subject to a fixed cost. And they prefer to report “round numbers,” even when that requires additional effort. A model of inattentive adjustment is found to quantitatively outperform popular alternatives.

Keywords: Adjustment hazard; Generalized Ss model; Menu costs; Rational inattention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 D84 E03 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (30)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Discrete Adjustment to a Changing Environment: Experimental Evidence (2016)
Working Paper: Discrete Adjustment to a Changing Environment: Experimental Evidence (2016)
Working Paper: Discrete Adjustment to a Changing Environment: Experimental Evidence (2016)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:moneco:v:91:y:2017:i:c:p:88-103

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2017.09.001

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