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Imperfect Information and Staggered Price Setting

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  • Ball, Laurence
  • Cecchetti, Stephen G

Abstract

Many Keynesian macroeconomic models are based on the assumption that firms change prices at different times. This paper presents an explanation for this "staggered" price setting. The authors develop a model in which firms have imperfect knowledge of the current state of the economy and gain information by observing the prices set by others. This gives each firm an incentive to set its price shortly after other firms set theirs. Staggering can be the equilibrium outcome. In addition, the information gains can make staggering socially optimal even though it increases aggregate fluctuations. Copyright 1988 by American Economic Association.

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  • Ball, Laurence & Cecchetti, Stephen G, 1988. "Imperfect Information and Staggered Price Setting," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 78(5), pages 999-1018, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:78:y:1988:i:5:p:999-1018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Laurence Ball & David Romer, 1989. "The Equilibrium and Optimal Timing of Price Changes," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 56(2), pages 179-198.
    2. Laurence Ball & David Romer, 1989. "Are Prices Too Sticky?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 104(3), pages 507-524.
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