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Quality differences, third-degree price discrimination, and welfare

Author

Listed:
  • Franciso Galera

    (University of Navarra)

  • Pedro Mendi

    (University of Navarra)

  • Juan Carlos Molero

    (University of Navarra)

Abstract

We propose a theoretical model to analyze the welfare implications of price discrimination in the presence of differences in quality. The model considers two markets where in each market competition takes place between a local firm that operates in that market only and a global firm that operates in both markets. All firms are assumed to be producing with zero marginal costs. Local firms produce a good that is perceived by consumers to have superior quality than that produced by the global firm. We find that there are parameter values such that welfare increases while total output decreases if the global firm engages in price discrimination. This is due to a positive allocation effect brought about precisely by the global firm engaging in price discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Franciso Galera & Pedro Mendi & Juan Carlos Molero, 2015. "Quality differences, third-degree price discrimination, and welfare," Faculty Working Papers 03/15, School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra.
    • Handle: RePEc:una:unccee:wp0315
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    File URL: http://www.unav.edu/documents/10174/6546776/UNAV_0315.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Galera & Pedro Mendi & Juan Carlos Molero, 2017. "Seasonality, price discrimination, and welfare," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 269-277, April.
    2. Francisco Galera & Pedro Garcia-del-Barrio & Pedro Mendi, 2019. "Consumer surplus bias and the welfare effects of price discrimination," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 33-45, February.
    3. Sergio Daga & Pedro Mendi, 2022. "Informal input suppliers, quality choice and welfare," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 149-176, July.
    4. Idrovo Carlier, Sandra & Costamagna, Rodrigo & Mendi, Pedro & Parra, Juan Manuel, 2019. "Low-skilled labor markets as a constraint on business strategy choices: A theoretical approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 228-234.
    5. Zheng Zhang & Yingtong Wang & Qingchun Meng & Qiang Han, 2022. "Impact of Third-Degree Price Discrimination on Welfare under the Asymmetric Price Game," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Yenipazarli, Arda, 2021. "Downstream entry revisited: Economic effects of entry in vertically-related markets," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Vertical diff erentiation; third-degree price discrimination; welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General

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