Entry and Vertical Differentiation

Dirk Bergemann and Juuso Välimäki

No 1277, Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers from Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Abstract: This paper analyzes the entry of new products into vertically differentiated markets where an entrant and an incumbent compete in quantities. The value of the new product is initially uncertain and new information is generated through purchases in the market. We derive the (unique) Markov perfect equilibrium of the infinite horizon game under the strong long run average payoff criterion. The qualitative features of the optimal entry strategy are shown to depend exclusively on the relative ranking of established and new products based on current beliefs. Superior products are launched relatively slowly and at high initial prices whereas substitutes for existing products are launched aggressively at low initial prices. The robustness of these results with respect to different model specifications is discussed.

Keywords: Entry; Duopoly; Quantity Competition; Vertical Differentiation; Bayesian Learning; Markov Perfect Equilibrium; Experimentation; Experience Goods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C73 D43 D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 45 pages
Date: 2000-10
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Journal Article: Entry and Vertical Differentiation (2002)
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