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The Optimality of a Control Band Policy

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  • Jose M. Plehn-Dujowich

    (University of Buffalo)

Abstract

Consider a firm with an arbitrary profit function whose relative price follows a Brownian motion with negative drift. When the firm faces a fixed cost of price adjustment, we prove the optimal pricing policy is a control band if the following sufficient conditions are met: the profit function is continuous, strictly concave and single-peaked; moreover, together with its first and second derivatives, it is bounded in absolute value by a polynomial. We also demonstrate various ways of constructing the value function associated with the control band policy and show it has certain properties carried over from the profit function. Numerical examples are found to be consistent with empirical estimates regarding the frequency of price adjustments. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Suggested Citation

  • Jose M. Plehn-Dujowich, 2005. "The Optimality of a Control Band Policy," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 8(4), pages 877-901, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:issued:v:8:y:2005:i:4:p:877-901
    DOI: 10.1016/j.red.2005.05.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yiannis Kamarianakis & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2006. "Controlling the risky fraction process with an ergodic criterion," Working Papers 0710, University of Crete, Department of Economics.
    2. Yiannis Kamarianakis & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2006. "Stochastic impulse control with discounted and ergodic optimization criteria: A comparative study for the control of risky holdings," Working Papers 0709, University of Crete, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    stochastic control; menu cost;

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis

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