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Robust firm pricing with panel data

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  • Handel, Benjamin R.
  • Misra, Kanishka
  • Roberts, James W.

Abstract

Firms often have imperfect information about demand for their products. We develop an integrated econometric and theoretical framework to model firm demand assessment and subsequent pricing decisions with limited information. We introduce a panel data discrete choice model whose realistic assumptions about consumer behavior deliver partially identified preferences and thus generate ambiguity in the firm pricing problem. We use the minimax-regret criterion as a decision-making rule for firms facing this ambiguity. We illustrate the framework’s benefits relative to the most common discrete choice analysis approach through simulations and empirical examples with field data.

Suggested Citation

  • Handel, Benjamin R. & Misra, Kanishka & Roberts, James W., 2013. "Robust firm pricing with panel data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 174(2), pages 165-185.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:174:y:2013:i:2:p:165-185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2013.02.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cosmin L. Ilut & Martin Schneider, 2022. "Modeling Uncertainty as Ambiguity: a Review," NBER Working Papers 29915, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Cosmin Ilut & Rosen Valchev & Nicolas Vincent, 2020. "Paralyzed by Fear: Rigid and Discrete Pricing Under Demand Uncertainty," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 88(5), pages 1899-1938, September.
    3. Benjamin R. Handel & Kanishka Misra, 2015. "Robust New Product Pricing," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 34(6), pages 864-881, November.
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    5. Kanishka Misra & Eric M. Schwartz & Jacob Abernethy, 2019. "Dynamic Online Pricing with Incomplete Information Using Multiarmed Bandit Experiments," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 38(2), pages 226-252, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm pricing; Minimax-regret; Partial identification; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C44 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Operations Research; Statistical Decision Theory
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • 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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