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Competing currencies in the laboratory

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  • Jiang, Janet Hua
  • Zhang, Cathy

Abstract

We investigate competition between two currencies as a result of decentralized interactions between human subjects. We design a laboratory experiment based on a simple two-country, two-currency search model to study factors that affect circulation patterns and equilibrium selection. Experimental results indicate foreign currency acceptance rates decrease with relative country size but are not significantly affected by the degree of integration. Subjects tend to always accept both currencies even though rejecting either currency is consistent with equilibrium. Introducing government transaction policies biased towards domestic currency significantly reduces the acceptability of foreign currency. These findings suggest government policies can serve as a coordination device when multiple currencies are available.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiang, Janet Hua & Zhang, Cathy, 2018. "Competing currencies in the laboratory," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 253-280.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:154:y:2018:i:c:p:253-280
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2018.08.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Janet Hua & Puzzello, Daniela & Zhang, Cathy, 2023. "Inflation, Output, and Welfare in the Laboratory," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Ding, Shuze & Puzzello, Daniela, 2020. "Legal restrictions and international currencies: An experimental approach," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    3. Aurélien Nioche & Basile Garcia & Germain Lefebvre & Thomas Boraud & Nicolas P. Rougier & Sacha Bourgeois-Gironde, 2019. "Coordination over a unique medium of exchange under information scarcity," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Rietz, Justin, 2019. "Secondary currency acceptance: Experimental evidence with a dual currency search model," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 403-431.
    5. Davis, Douglas & Korenok, Oleg & Norman, Peter & Sultanum, Bruno & Wright, Randall, 2022. "Playing with money," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1221-1239.
    6. Jiang, Janet Hua & Puzzello, Daniela & Zhang, Cathy, 2021. "How long is forever in the laboratory? Three implementations of an infinite-horizon monetary economy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 278-301.
    7. Janet Hua Jiang & Peter Norman & Daniela Puzzello & Bruno Sultanum & Randall Wright, 2024. "Is Money Essential? An Experimental Approach," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 132(9), pages 2972-2998.
    8. John Duffy & Daniela Puzzello, 2022. "The Friedman Rule: Experimental Evidence," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(2), pages 671-698, May.
    9. Arrieta Vidal, Johar & Florián Hoyle, David & López Vargas, Kristian & Morales Vásquez, Valeria, 2022. "Policies for transactional de-dollarization: A laboratory study," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 31-54.
    10. Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D., 2021. "Young children use commodities as an indirect medium of exchange," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 48-61.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • E40 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - General

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