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Signaling for access to high-demand markets: evidence from the US motion picture industry

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda S. King

    (Georgia Southern University)

  • John T. King

    (Georgia Southern University)

  • Michael Reksulak

    (Qatar National Research Fund)

Abstract

We develop a signaling model in which imperfectly competitive firms signal quality through expenditures in segmented markets. Separation in this model results in high-quality firms selling their products in a high-demand, and highly quality elastic, period. Low-quality firms sell their product in a low demand but less quality-sensitive period. A dataset including 1697 US theatrical releases between 1998 and 2008 is compiled and explored for evidence of this separating equilibrium. We find that our measures of signal intensity and realized quality (budgets and critical ratings, respectively) are both significantly greater during high-demand periods. Ticket sales are also shown to be more sensitive to expected quality as measured by budgets during the high-demand season. Other seasonal differences and implications are explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda S. King & John T. King & Michael Reksulak, 2017. "Signaling for access to high-demand markets: evidence from the US motion picture industry," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 41(4), pages 441-465, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jculte:v:41:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10824-016-9273-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10824-016-9273-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xi, Chen & Xie, Wei & Chen, Xiaoguang & He, Pan, 2023. "Weather shocks and movie recreation demand in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PB).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Market segmentation; Experience goods; Signaling; Motion pictures;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z11 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economics of the Arts and Literature
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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