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Bidimensional vertical differentiation

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Giorgio GARELLA
  • Luca LAMBERTINI
Abstract
In markets where product quality is important, more than one characteristic is usually necessary to define product quality. Standard models maintain that: (i) in a duopoly there will be a quality leader no matter wether the product can incorporate one or two vertical attributes; (ii) differentiation pertains only to one attribute. By contrast, in our set-up there are also equilibria where the quality leader is better in two attributes, and others where there is cross leadership, namely a situation where each firm designs a product to dominate the other in one characteristic. The role of cost complementarities is also examined. Applications to Minimum Quality Standards, home bias effects (or "perception bias effects"), and a tax on quality products are sketched, showing that assessments based on standard models may be incomplete.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Giorgio GARELLA & Luca LAMBERTINI, 2010. "Bidimensional vertical differentiation," Departmental Working Papers 2010-04, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at Università degli Studi di Milano.
    • Handle: RePEc:mil:wpdepa:2010-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Yan, Yingchen & Zhao, Qiuhong & Qin, Zhongfeng & Sun, Gaoji, 2022. "Integration of development and advertising strategies for multi-attribute products under competition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 490-503.
    3. Dorothée Brécard & Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline, 2020. "The market for "harmful component-free" products under pressure from the NGOs," PSE Working Papers halshs-02878337, HAL.
    4. José A. Novo-Peteiro, 2020. "Two-dimensional vertical differentiation with attribute dependence," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 131(2), pages 149-180, October.
    5. Marco A. Marini & Ornella Tarola & Jacques-François Thisse, 2022. "When is Environmentalism Good for the Environment?," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 82(1), pages 1-28, May.
    6. Sungho Yun, 2018. "Minimum safety standards with asymmetric safety costs," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 152-173, April.
    7. Barigozzi, Francesca & Ma, Ching-to Albert, 2018. "Product differentiation with multiple qualities," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 380-412.
    8. Dorothée Brécard & Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline, 2024. "Information campaigns and ecolabels by environmental NGOs: Effective strategies to eliminate environmentally harmful components?," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) hal-04592469, HAL.
    9. Marco A. Marini & Ornella Tarola & Jacques-François Thisse, 2020. "Is Environmentalism the Right Strategy to Decarbonize the World?," Working Papers 2020.31, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    10. Jason M. Walter & Jeffrey M. Peterson, 2017. "Strategic R&D and the innovation of products: understanding the role of time preferences and product differentiation," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(7), pages 575-595, October.
    11. Burani, Nadia & Mantovani, Andrea, 2020. "Non-linear pricing and conscious consumption," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Oligopoly equilibrium; vertical differentiation; quality; scope economies; cost complementarities; Minimum Quality Standards; Home Bias Effect; Tax on Quality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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