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Formation of buyer-seller trade networks in a quality-differentiated product market

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  • Ping Wang
  • Alison Watts

Abstract

We examine the formation of buyer-seller links when exchange can take place only if such a link exists. Sellers produce products of different qualities, and multiple sellers can form a sellers' association to pool their customers setting uniform prices. Buyers form trade links with individual sellers or sellers' associations. We show which buyer-seller links will form and find the set of links that are stable and show how these links influence prices. We also show that a trade network mismatch may occur where a high-quality good remains unsold even without an economy-wide excess supply of goods.

Suggested Citation

  • Ping Wang & Alison Watts, 2006. "Formation of buyer-seller trade networks in a quality-differentiated product market," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 39(3), pages 971-1004, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:39:y:2006:i:3:p:971-1004
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    2. Jean-François Caulier & Ana Mauleon & Vincent Vannetelbosch, 2013. "Contractually stable networks," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 42(2), pages 483-499, May.
    3. BEDAYO, Mikel & MAULEON, Ana & VANNETELBOSCH, Vincent, 2012. "Bargaining and delay in trading networks," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2012046, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    4. Jean-François Caulier & Ana Mauleon & Jose Sempere-Monerris & Vincent Vannetelbosch, 2013. "Stable and efficient coalitional networks," Review of Economic Design, Springer;Society for Economic Design, vol. 17(4), pages 249-271, December.
    5. Bloch, Francis & Genicot, Garance & Ray, Debraj, 2008. "Informal insurance in social networks," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 36-58, November.
    6. Messan Agbaglah, 2017. "Overlapping coalitions, bargaining and networks," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 82(3), pages 435-459, March.
    7. Alison Watts, 2016. "Auctions Versus Private Negotiations in Buyer-Seller Networks," Games, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-14, August.
    8. Toshihiro OKUBO & Yukako ONO & Yukiko SAITO, 2014. "Roles of Wholesalers in Transaction Networks," Discussion papers 14059, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    9. Dutta, Bhaskar & Ghosal, Sayantan & Ray, Debraj, 2005. "Farsighted network formation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 122(2), pages 143-164, June.
    10. Bedayo, Mikel & Mauleon, Ana & Vannetelbosch, Vincent, 2016. "Bargaining in endogenous trading networks," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 70-82.
    11. Matthew O. Jackson, 2003. "A Survey of Models of Network Formation: Stability and Efficiency," Game Theory and Information 0303011, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Vignes, Annick & Etienne, Jean-Michel, 2011. "Price formation on the Marseille fish market: Evidence from a network analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 50-67.
    13. Anirban Sengupta, 2011. "Network Strategy and Access to Business Finance," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 20(1), pages 103-126, March.
    14. Hemant Patil, 2011. "Buyer–seller networks with demand shocks and intermediation," Review of Economic Design, Springer;Society for Economic Design, vol. 15(2), pages 121-145, June.
    15. Mauleon, Ana & Sempere-Monerris, Jose J. & Vannetelbosch, Vincent J., 2011. "Networks of manufacturers and retailers," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 77(3), pages 351-367, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • D51 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Exchange and Production Economies
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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