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Capacity precommitment and price transparency platforms. Theoretical benchmark and experimental evidence

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  • Stadler, Manfred
  • Güth, Werner
  • Zaby, Alexandra

Abstract

Price transparency in the sense of ‘more information for customers’ is known to increase efficiency. However, the introduction of price transparency platforms does not only providemore information for customers but also for rival firms—who may (mis)use the legal information channel to collude. We experimentally investigate transparency platforms in the context of a capacity-then-price setting game. Price transparency is implemented by allowing firms to send non-binding price messages after capacity but before price choices. As such messages are cheap talk they do not affect the subgame perfect equilibrium of the game. In our experiment, however, we find collusive price choices when price messages are possible, especially when they are truthful. While we find strong support for the theoretically predicted negative relation between capacities and prices, participants frequently install excessive capacities, which, in turn, induce collusive pricing behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Stadler, Manfred & Güth, Werner & Zaby, Alexandra, 2016. "Capacity precommitment and price transparency platforms. Theoretical benchmark and experimental evidence," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145515, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc16:145515
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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