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The Stability of Price Dispersion under Seller and Consumer Learning

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Author Info
Ed Hopkins ()
Robert M Seymour

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Abstract

In many markets it is possible to find rival sellers charging different prices for the same good. Earlier research has attempted to explain this phenomenon by demonstrating the existence of dispersed price equilibria when consumers must make use of costly search to discover prices. We ask whether such equilibria can be learnt when sellers adjust proces adaptively in response to current market conditions. With consumer behaviour fixed, convergence to a dispersed porce equilibrium is possible in some cases. However, once consumer learning is introduced, the monopoly outcome first found by Diamond (1971) is the only stable equilibrium.

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Paper provided by Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh in its series ESE Discussion Papers with number 52.

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Length: 36
Date of creation: Apr 2004
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:edn:esedps:52

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Related research
Keywords: Learning; Evolution; Search; Price Dispersion;

Other versions of this item:

Find related papers by JEL classification:
C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search, Learning, and Information

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  1. Michel Benaim & Josef Hofbauer & Ed Hopkins, 2005. "Learning in Games with Unstable Equilibria," Levine's Bibliography 784828000000000609, UCLA Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Takatoshi Tabuchi & Dao-Zhi Zeng, 2000. "Stability of Spatial Equilibrium," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-79, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Ed Hopkins, 2004. "Adaptive Learning Models of Consumer Behaviour," ESE Discussion Papers 121, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Aurora García-Gallego & Nikolaos Georgantzís & Pedro Pereira & José C. Pernías-Cerrillo, 2007. "Bias and Size Effects of Price-Comparison Search Engines: Theory and Experimental Evidence," Working Papers 20, Portuguese Competition Authority. [Downloadable!]
  5. Roger Waldeck & Eric Darmon, 2006. "Can boundedly rational sellers learn to play Nash?," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 147-169, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  6. Ed Hopkins, 2004. "Adaptative Learning Models of Consumer Behaviour (first version)," ESE Discussion Papers 80, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh.
  7. Timothy N. Cason & Daniel Friedman, 2000. "Buyer Search and Price Dispersion: A Laboratory Study," Econometric Society World Congress 2000 Contributed Papers 1549, Econometric Society. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Klaus Adam, 2001. "Competitive Prices in Markets with Search and Information Frictions," CSEF Working Papers 55, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy. [Downloadable!]
  9. Timothy N. Cason & Shakun Datta, 2008. "Costly Buyer Search in Laboratory Markets with Seller Advertising," Purdue University Economics Working Papers 1212, Purdue University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  10. Jim Engle-Warnick & Ed Hopkins, 2006. "A Simple Test of Learning Theory," CIRANO Working Papers 2006s-30, CIRANO. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  11. Michael T. Rauh, 2006. "Strategic Complementarities and Search Market Equilibrium," Working Papers 2006-01, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Department of Business Economics and Public Policy. [Downloadable!]
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