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Income Distribution, Spillover Effects And Choice Of Product Quality

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  • Soma Roy

    (Department of Economics, Dum Dum Motijheel College)

Abstract

We consider an MNC that is originated from a developed country where income is more or less evenly distributed and serves there a high quality product with the help of sophisticated technology of production. Under liberalized policy this MNC enters into a developing economy where income distribution is highly unequal. Due to prior experience of production it possesses a cost advantage in producing appropriate product quality in the developing country described by the spillover effect. It is shown that this discriminating monopolist serves a lower quality product in the developing country without any cost advantage. This happens due to its uneven income distribution. As spillover effect starts to rise, the product qualities between the countries differentiate more. At the same time profit of MNC rises. This may provide an explanation why MNCs are so eager to enter into a developing country. The developing country also gains in terms of welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Soma Roy, 2011. "Income Distribution, Spillover Effects And Choice Of Product Quality," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 36(2), pages 61-86, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:36:y:2011:i:2:p:61-86
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Income Distribution; Product Quality; Trade Liberalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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