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Price as an Indicator for Quality in International Trade?

Author

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  • Jørgen Drud Hansen
  • Jørgen Ulff-Møller Nielsen

Abstract

This paper examines the relation between price differences and quality differences in an oligopoly model with intra-industry trade, where goods are horizontally as well as vertically differentiated. The analysis demonstrates that the ratio of prices is not linked to the ratio of qualities in any simple way. The paper therefore questions empirical trade studies using unit values as an indicator for the quality of the traded goods. However, we also show that the ratio of prices is a reasonable proxy for the ratio of qualities if sunk cost is dominating in the cost structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Jørgen Drud Hansen & Jørgen Ulff-Møller Nielsen, 2010. "Price as an Indicator for Quality in International Trade?," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 419-430, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intecj:v:25:y:2011:i:3:p:419-430
    DOI: 10.1080/10168737.2011.580580
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Baldwin & James Harrigan, 2011. "Zeros, Quality, and Space: Trade Theory and Trade Evidence," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 3(2), pages 60-88, May.
    2. Juan Carlos Hallak & Jagadeesh Sivadasan, 2009. "Firms' Exporting Behavior under Quality Constraints," Working Papers 09-13, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    3. Jean Tirole, 1988. "The Theory of Industrial Organization," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262200716, December.
    4. P. Garella, 2003. "The Effects of Minimum Quality Standards: Better or Worse Products?," Working Papers 484, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita' di Bologna.
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