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Nonparametric Estimation of the Costs of Non-Sequential Search

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Author Info
Jose Luis Moraga-Gonzalez (University of Groningen and CESifo)
Zsolt Sandor (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)
Matthijs R. Wildenbeest (Department of Business Economics and Public Policy, Indiana University Kelley School of Business)

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Abstract

This paper studies the nonparametric identification and estimation of the costs of non-sequential search. Since the sequence of points of the search cost distribution that are identifiable is convergent to zero, using data from just one market search costs can only be identified accurately at low quantiles. To solve this problem, we propose to consider a richer framework, where the researcher has price data from many markets with the same underlying search cost distribution, and provide identification conditions in such setting. To exploit the fact that the same search technology prevails in all the markets, we propose a new estimator based on semi-nonparametric density estimation. A Monte Carlo study illustrates the new approach and an application using a data set of online prices for memory chips is presented.

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Paper provided by Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Department of Business Economics and Public Policy in its series Working Papers with number 2007-20.

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Date of creation: Dec 2007
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Handle: RePEc:iuk:wpaper:2007-20

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Related research
Keywords: consumer search; oligopoly; search costs; semi-nonparametric estimation;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods
D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure and Pricing - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search, Learning, and Information
L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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  1. Asher Wolinsky, 2005. "Procurement via Sequential Search," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 113(4), pages 785-810, August.
  2. Moraga-González, José Luis & Wildenbeest, Matthijs R., 2008. "Maximum likelihood estimation of search costs," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(5), pages 820-848, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Pieter A. Gautier & José Luis Moraga-González & Ronald P. Wolthoff, 2007. "Structural Estimation of Search Intensity: Do Non-Employed Workers Search Enough?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 07-071/3, Tinbergen Institute. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Burdett, Kenneth & Judd, Kenneth L, 1983. "Equilibrium Price Dispersion," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 51(4), pages 955-69, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Ali Hortaç Su & Chad Syverson, 2004. "Product Differentiation, Search Costs, And Competition in the Mutual Fund Industry: A Case Study of S&P 500 Index Funds," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 119(2), pages 403-456, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  6. Matt Lewis, 2004. "Asymmetric Price Adjustment and Consumer Search: An Examination of the Retail Gasoline Market," Industrial Organization 0407010, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  7. Saul Lach, 2002. "Existence And Persistence Of Price Dispersion: An Empirical Analysis," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 84(3), pages 433-444, August. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  8. Fershtman, Chaim & Fishman, Arthur, 1994. "The 'perverse' effects of wage and price controls in search markets," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 1099-1112, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  9. Han Hong & Matthew Shum, 2006. "Using Price Distributions to Estimate Search Costs," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 37(2), pages 257-275, Summer.
  10. Varian, Hal R, 1980. "A Model of Sales," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(4), pages 651-59, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  11. Stiglitz, Joseph E, 1987. "Competition and the Number of Firms in a Market: Are Duopolies More Competitive than Atomistic Markets?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 95(5), pages 1041-61, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  12. Rob, Rafael, 1985. "Equilibrium Price Distributions," Review of Economic Studies, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 52(3), pages 487-504, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  13. Bester, H., 1993. "Price Commitment in Search Markets," Papers 9309, Tilburg - Center for Economic Research.
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  14. Ken Burdett & Melvyn Coles, 2003. "Equilibrium Wage-Tenure Contracts," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 71(5), pages 1377-1404, 09. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  15. Morgan, Peter & Manning, Richard, 1985. "Optimal Search," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 53(4), pages 923-44, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  16. Acemoglu, Daron & Shimer, Robert, 2000. "Wage and Technology Dispersion," Review of Economic Studies, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 67(4), pages 585-607, October.
  17. Stahl, Dale O, II, 1989. "Oligopolistic Pricing with Sequential Consumer Search," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 79(4), pages 700-712, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  18. George J. Stigler, 1961. "The Economics of Information," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 69, pages 213. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  19. Maarten C. W. Janssen & José Luis Moraga-González, 2004. "Strategic Pricing, Consumer Search and the Number of Firms," Review of Economic Studies, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 71(4), pages 1089-1118, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  20. Wolinsky, Asher, 1984. "Product Differentiation with Imperfect Information," Review of Economic Studies, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 51(1), pages 53-61, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  21. Anderson, Simon P & Renault, Regis, 2000. "Consumer Information and Firm Pricing: Negative Externalities from Improved Information," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 41(3), pages 721-42, August.
    Other versions:
  22. Matthijs R Wildenbeest, 2009. "An Empirical Model of Search with Vertically Differentiated Products," Working Papers 2009-01, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Department of Business Economics and Public Policy. [Downloadable!]
  23. Gerard J. van den Berg & Geert Ridder, 1998. "An Empirical Equilibrium Search Model of the Labor Market," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 66(5), pages 1183-1222, September.
    Other versions:
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