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The Stability of Price Dispersion under Seller and Consumer Learning

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Author Info
Ed Hopkins (University of Edinburgh)
Robert M. Seymour (University College, London)

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Abstract

In many markets, it is possible to find rival sellers charging different prices for the same good. Earlier research has attempted to explain this phenomenon by demonstrating the existence of dispersed price equilibria when consumers must make use of costly search to discover prices. We ask whether such equilibria can be learned when sellers adjust prices adaptively in response to current market conditions. With consumer behavior fixed, convergence to a dispersed price equilibrium is possible in some cases. However, once consumer learning is introduced, the monopoly outcome first found by Diamond ("Journal of Economic Theory"3 (1971), 156-68) is the only stable equilibrium. Copyright 2002 by the Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association

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Article provided by Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association in its journal International Economic Review.

Volume (Year): 43 (2002)
Issue (Month): 4 (November)
Pages: 1157-1190
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Handle: RePEc:ier:iecrev:v:43:y:2002:i:4:p:1157-1190

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  1. Michel Benaim & Josef Hofbauer & Ed Hopkins, 2005. "Learning in Games with Unstable Equilibria," Levine's Bibliography 784828000000000609, UCLA Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Timothy N. Cason & Daniel Friedman, 2000. "Buyer Search and Price Dispersion: A Laboratory Study," Econometric Society World Congress 2000 Contributed Papers 1549, Econometric Society. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Klaus Adam, 2001. "Competitive Prices in Markets with Search and Information Frictions," CSEF Working Papers 55, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy. [Downloadable!]
  4. Ed Hopkins, 2006. "Adaptive Learning Models of Consumer Behaviour," Levine's Bibliography 122247000000000658, UCLA Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  5. Michael T. Rauh, 2006. "Strategic Complementarities and Search Market Equilibrium," Working Papers 2006-01, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Department of Business Economics and Public Policy. [Downloadable!]
  6. Jim Engle-Warnick & Ed Hopkins, 2006. "A Simple Test of Learning Theory?," ESE Discussion Papers 153, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  7. Takatoshi Tabuchi & Dao-Zhi Zeng, 2000. "Stability of Spatial Equilibrium," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-79, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Aurora García-Gallego & Nikolaos Georgantzís & Pedro Pereira & José C. Pernías-Cerrillo, 2007. "Bias and Size Effects of Price-Comparison Search Engines: Theory and Experimental Evidence," Working Papers 20, Portuguese Competition Authority. [Downloadable!]
  9. Roger Waldeck & Eric Darmon, 2006. "Can boundedly rational sellers learn to play Nash?," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 147-169, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  10. Ed Hopkins, 2004. "Adaptative Learning Models of Consumer Behaviour (first version)," ESE Discussion Papers 80, Edinburgh School of Economics, University of Edinburgh.
  11. Timothy N. Cason & Shakun Datta, 2008. "Costly Buyer Search in Laboratory Markets with Seller Advertising," Purdue University Economics Working Papers 1212, Purdue University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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