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The Quality-Income effect and the selection of location

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  • Bacchiega, Emanuele
  • Minniti, Antonio

Abstract

We analyze a location-choice model with two vertically differentiated firms and two regions with different consumer income. We find that the high-quality producer settles in the poor region and the low-quality one in the rich region when income disparities are sufficiently high and goods are differentiated enough. This apparently counter-intuitive result is not determined by technology or size issues; rather, it relies on the relationship between regional income disparities and product quality, which we call the "Quality-Income effect."

Suggested Citation

  • Bacchiega, Emanuele & Minniti, Antonio, 2009. "The Quality-Income effect and the selection of location," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 209-215, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:65:y:2009:i:2:p:209-215
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    1. Emanuele Bacchiega & Antonio Minniti & Arsen Palestini, 2016. "Quality, distance and trade: A strategic approach," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95, pages 165-191, March.
    2. Jean Eid & Travis Ng & Terence Tai-Leung Chong, 2013. "Shipping the Good Horses Out," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 80(2), pages 540-561, October.
    3. Stefano Colombo & Luigi Filippini, 2019. "The choice between product and logistic innovation in a spatial model with income distribution," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 46(4), pages 609-627, December.

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