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The Growth of Network Computing: Quality Adjusted Price Changes for Network Servers

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  • John Van Reenen

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the evolution of quality adjusted prices for servers motivated by two facts. First, the productivity acceleration in the US economy since the mid 1990s is closely linked to spread of information technology of which networked computing is a large component. Second, the growth of network computing itself has been fostered by the rapid growth in the quality and quantity of the network server market. Like Pakes' (2003) analysis of the PC market, we show that our preferred version of the hedonic price index ("complete hybrid") fell much more rapidly than the standard "matched model" price index (the hedonic index fell on average by about 30% per annum compared to 17% p.a. for the matched model). This difference is mainly due to the selection bias in the standard matched model price index due to the exit of obsolete models which would have had the fastest price falls.

Suggested Citation

  • John Van Reenen, 2005. "The Growth of Network Computing: Quality Adjusted Price Changes for Network Servers," CEP Discussion Papers dp0702, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp0702
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    6. Ariel Pakes, 2003. "A Reconsideration of Hedonic Price Indexes with an Application to PC's," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1578-1596, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christos Genakos & Kai‐Uwe Kühn & John Van Reenen, 2018. "Leveraging Monopoly Power by Degrading Interoperability: Theory and Evidence from Computer Markets," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 85(340), pages 873-902, October.
    2. Jakub Rybacki & Tamara Bińczak & Filip Kaczmarek, 2018. "Is HICP really harmonized? Problems with quality adjustments and new products," Collegium of Economic Analysis Annals, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis, issue 53, pages 97-116.
    3. Paul Chwelos & Ronald Ramirez & Kenneth L. Kraemer & Nigel P. Melville, 2010. "Research Note ---Does Technological Progress Alter the Nature of Information Technology as a Production Input? New Evidence and New Results," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(2), pages 392-408, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    hedonic prices; network servers; computers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance
    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies

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