Price Dynamics and Consumer Learning

Ramon Caminal and Xavier Vives

No 1744, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper studies the price dynamics induced by strategic firm behaviour in the presence of consumer learning about the uncertain quality differential of the products offered by a duopoly. It is found that consumers learn slowly and also that prices converge slowly to full-information levels. A consequence is that the incentives of firms to manipulate consumers’ beliefs are relatively persistent. Although pricing tends to be aggressive at the early stages, and average prices eventually increase over time, price wars may occur at intermediate stages of the product life-cycle.

Keywords: Learning; Market Shares; oligopoly pricing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D43 D83 L13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997-11
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Journal Article: Price Dynamics and Consumer Learning (1999)
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