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Who should handle retail? Vertical contracts, customer service, and social welfare in a Chinese mobile phone market

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  • Li, Jia
  • Moul, Charles C.

Abstract

Using data on mobile phone handset sales from a single retail store, we examine the impact of different retail responsibility designations and vertical contracts on seller service provision, firm profitability, and social welfare. During our sample, this store switched from retailer-managed retailing with linear pricing contracts to manufacturer-managed retailing with revenue-sharing contracts. We estimate consumer demand and manufacturer cost parameters. Demand estimates indicate a large positive shift that coincided with the vertical change, consistent with improved retail customer service. Welfare estimates suggest that consumers derived substantial surplus from the improved customer service in addition to that from lowered prices.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Jia & Moul, Charles C., 2015. "Who should handle retail? Vertical contracts, customer service, and social welfare in a Chinese mobile phone market," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 29-43.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:39:y:2015:i:c:p:29-43
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2015.01.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Marketing channel switch; Vertical relationships; Revenue-sharing contract; Customer service; Structural models; Mobile phones;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L63 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Microelectronics; Computers; Communications Equipment
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • M31 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Marketing

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