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Why Do Prices in Sierra Leone Change So Often? A Case Study Using Micro-level Price Data

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  • Mr. Arto Kovanen

Abstract

We use cross-section and time-series techniques to analyze pricing behavior in Sierra Leone. In cross-sectional data, we find that inflation volatility and product diversification are the main factors explaining differences in the frequency of price adjustments. We show that variance in the fraction of prices subject to change is a key determinant of inflation volatility in Sierra Leone, indicating that retail prices are sensitive to economic events. We explain variations in this fraction over time with past inflation and monetary growth, which are important policy variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Arto Kovanen, 2006. "Why Do Prices in Sierra Leone Change So Often? A Case Study Using Micro-level Price Data," IMF Working Papers 2006/053, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2006/053
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    1. Mr. Kadima D. Kalonji & Jan Gottschalk & Mr. Ken Miyajima, 2008. "Analyzing Determinants of Inflation When There Are Data Limitation: The Case of Sierra Leone," IMF Working Papers 2008/271, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Emmanuel Dhyne & Jerzy Konieczny & Fabio Rumler & Patrick Sevestre, 2009. "Price rigidity in the euro area - An assessment," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 380, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    3. Erwan Gautier, 2009. "Les ajustements microéconomiques des prix : une synthèse des modèles théoriques et résultats empiriques," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 119(3), pages 323-372.
    4. Craigwell, Roland & Moore, Winston & Worrell, DeLisle, 2011. "Does Consumer Price Rigidity Exist in Barbados?," MPRA Paper 40928, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Alvarez González, Luis Julián, 2008. "What Do Micro Price Data Tell Us on the Validity of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve?," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 2, pages 1-36.
    6. ALIDOU, Sahawal, 2014. "Degree of price rigidity in LICs and implication for monetary policy," MPRA Paper 59844, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Amlendu Dubey & Juhi Lohani, 2022. "Inflation targeting and price behaviour: evidence from India," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 265-284, December.
    8. Creamer, Kenneth & Rankin, Neil A., 2008. "Price setting in South Africa 2001-2007 - stylised facts using consumer price micro data," MPRA Paper 16905, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Klenow, Peter J. & Malin, Benjamin A., 2010. "Microeconomic Evidence on Price-Setting," Handbook of Monetary Economics, in: Benjamin M. Friedman & Michael Woodford (ed.), Handbook of Monetary Economics, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 6, pages 231-284, Elsevier.
    10. Ahmad, Yamin S. & Staveley-O’Carroll, Olena M., 2017. "Exploring international differences in inflation dynamics," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 115-135.
    11. Mamello Amelia Nchake & Lawrence Edwards & Neil Rankin, 2015. "Price-Setting Behaviour in Lesotho: Stylised Facts from Consumer Retail Prices," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 83(2), pages 199-219, June.
    12. Tweneboah Senzu, Emmanuel, 2021. "Theoretically proposed policy instrument to address the negative effect of inflation inflow into positive macroeconomic growth: the case study of the Sierra Leone economy," MPRA Paper 110047, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Hemmaty , Maryam & Bayat , Saeed, 2013. "Price Setting in Iran: Some Stylized Facts from CPI Micro Data," Journal of Money and Economy, Monetary and Banking Research Institute, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, vol. 8(1), pages 75-108, January.
    14. Felipe Morandé Lavín & Mauricio Tejada, 2008. "Price Stickiness in Emerging Economies: Empirical Evidence for Four Latin-American Countries," Working Papers wp286, University of Chile, Department of Economics.
    15. Tweneboah Senzu, Emmanuel, 2020. "Theoretically proposed policy instrument to resolve the negative effect of inflation flow into a positive macroeconomic growth: the case of Sierra Leone economy," MPRA Paper 99402, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Rafael Portillo & Luis-Felipe Zanna & Stephen O’Connell & Richard Peck, 2016. "Implications of food subsistence for monetary policy and inflation," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 68(3), pages 782-810.
    17. David Fielding, 2010. "Non-monetary Determinants of Inflation Volatility: Evidence from Nigeria," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 19(1), pages 111-139, January.
    18. Parantap Basu & Shesadri Banerjee, 2015. "Role of IST and TFP Shocks in Business Cycle Fluctuations: The Case of India," CEGAP Working Papers 2015_04, Durham University Business School.
    19. David Fielding, 2008. "Inflation Volatility and Economic Development: Evidence from Nigeria," Working Papers 0807, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Sep 2008.

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