The Choice of Prices vs. Quantities under Uncertainty

Reisinger, Markus und Ressner, Ludwig (Mai 2007): The Choice of Prices vs. Quantities under Uncertainty. SFB/TR 15 Discussion Paper No. 202

Abstract

This paper analyzes a duopoly model with stochastic demand in which firms first choose their strategy variable and compete afterwards. Contrary to the existing literature, we show that firms do not always choose a quantity which is the variable that induces a smaller degree of competition. The reason is that demand uncertainty and the degree of substitutability have countervailing effects on variable choice. Higher uncertainty favors prices, while closer substitutability favors quantities. Moreover, for intermediate values firms choose different strategy variables in equilibrium.

• Dokumententyp: Paper
• Keywords: competition, strategy variables, demand uncertainty
• Fakultät: Sonderforschungsbereiche > Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems ; Sonderforschungsbereiche > Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems > A4 - Unvollständige Verträge, Marktinteraktion und soziale Vergleichsprozesse ; Volkswirtschaft ; Volkswirtschaft > Lehrstühle > Seminar für Dynamische Modellierung (aufgelöst)
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 330 Wirtschaft
• JEL Classification: D43, L13
• Sprache: Englisch