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The R&D Investment Decision Game with Product Differentiation

Author

Listed:
  • Buccella Domenico

    (Department of Economics, Kozminski University, Jagiellońska Street, 57/59, 03301 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Fanti Luciano

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Pisa, Via Cosimo Ridolfi, 10, I–56124 Pisa (PI), Italy)

  • Gori Luca

    (Department of Law, University of Pisa, Via Collegio Ricci, 10, I–56126 Pisa (PI), Italy)

Abstract

This article extends the cost-reducing R&D model with spillovers by d’Aspremont and Jacquemin (1988. “Cooperative and Noncooperative R&D in Duopoly with Spillovers.” The American Economic Review 78: 1133–7, 1990. “Cooperative and Noncooperative R&D in Duopoly with Spillovers: Erratum.” The American Economic Review 80: 641–2) to allow quantity-setting firms (Cournot rivalry) to play the non-cooperative R&D investment decision game with horizontal product differentiation. Unlike Bacchiega, Lambertini, and Mantovani (2010. “R&D-hindering Collusion.” The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy 10 (Topics): 66), who identify a parametric region (defined by the extent of technological spillovers and the efficiency of R&D activity), in which the game is a prisoner’s dilemma (self-interest and mutual benefit of cost-reducing innovation conflict), this work shows that product differentiation changes the game into a deadlock (self-interest and mutual benefit do not conflict), regardless of the parameter scale (i.e. also in the absence of spill-over effects). Then investing in R&D challenges the improvement of interventions aimed at favouring product differentiation. This is because social welfare when firms invest in cost-reducing R&D is greater than when firms do not invest in R&D. Alternatively, R&D subsidies can be used as a social welfare maximising tool also in the absence of R&D spillovers. These results also hold for price-setting firms (Bertrand rivalry).

Suggested Citation

  • Buccella Domenico & Fanti Luciano & Gori Luca, 2023. "The R&D Investment Decision Game with Product Differentiation," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 23(2), pages 601-637, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejtec:v:23:y:2023:i:2:p:601-637:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/bejte-2021-0129
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    Cited by:

    1. Buccella, Domenico & Fanti, Luciano & Gori, Luca, 2023. "The disclosure decision game: Subsidies and incentives for R&D activity," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 11-26.
    2. Buccella, Domenico & Fanti, Luciano & Gori, Luca, 2023. "Optimal R&D disclosure in network industries," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(4).
    3. Buccella, Domenico & Fanti, Luciano & Gori, Luca, 2021. "A contribution to the theory of R&D investments," GLO Discussion Paper Series 940, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Colombo, Stefano & Lambertini, Luca, 2023. "R&D investments with spillovers and endogenous horizontal differentiation," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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