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Can mandatory certification promote greenwashing? A signaling approach

Author

Listed:
  • Dolores Garrido
  • Ana Espínola‐Arredondo
  • Felix Munoz‐Garcia

Abstract

This paper examines how positive or negative perceptions about innovation affect firms' strategic behavior when certifying their products. In particular, we consider two types of firm (innovative and noninnovative) which choose between three signals: (a) certified claim, (b) uncertified claim, and (c) no claim. The consumer, either exhibiting positive or negative perceptions, is uninformed about the firm's type and only observes the firm's claim. We find that a separating equilibrium arises in which information about the innovation is revealed to consumers. We also identify a pooling equilibrium in which both types of firm choose the same claim, concealing information from consumers. We show that regulation requiring mandatory certification can hinder information transmission. Our results also indicate that changes in product perceptions do not necessarily facilitate information transmission.

Suggested Citation

  • Dolores Garrido & Ana Espínola‐Arredondo & Felix Munoz‐Garcia, 2020. "Can mandatory certification promote greenwashing? A signaling approach," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 22(6), pages 1801-1851, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jpbect:v:22:y:2020:i:6:p:1801-1851
    DOI: 10.1111/jpet.12445
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    4. Rabah Amir & Joana Resende & Bernard Sinclair‐Desgagné, 2020. "Introduction to the thematic issue on “Regulation in health, environmental and innovation sectors”," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 22(6), pages 1740-1745, December.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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