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Quality competition in markets with regulated prices and minimum quality standards

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  • Roberto Cellini
  • Fabio Lamantia

Abstract

We study the equilibrium and its stability property in a duopoly market in which minimum quality standards (MQS) are set, prices are regulated with links to product quality, and firms compete in quality. The adjustment dynamics are studied, under the assumption that quality is a sticky variable. We focus on the role that MQS play, in affecting equilibrium allocations and the system dynamic properties. In particular, we show that chaotic dynamics may emerge, precisely due to MQS; under specific circumstances, MQS are responsible for the outcome of maximal differentiation in product qualities across providers. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Cellini & Fabio Lamantia, 2015. "Quality competition in markets with regulated prices and minimum quality standards," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 345-370, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:25:y:2015:i:2:p:345-370
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-014-0383-3
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    3. Bisceglia, Michele & Cellini, Roberto & Siciliani, Luigi & Straume, Odd Rune, 2020. "Optimal dynamic volume-based price regulation," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    4. Lamantia, Fabio & Pezzino, Mario & Tramontana, Fabio, 2018. "Dynamic analysis of discontinuous best response with innovation," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 120-133.
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    6. Peter Michaelis & Thomas Ziesemer, 2022. "Minimum quality standards and benchmarking in differentiated duopoly," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 515-537, July.
    7. Michele Bisceglia & Roberto Cellini & Luca Grilli, 2019. "Quality Competition in Healthcare Services with Regional Regulators: A Differential Game Approach," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Oligopoly; Quality competition; Minimum quality standard; C73; H42; I18; L13;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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