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Friends or foes? A meta-analysis of the link between "online piracy" and sales of cultural goods

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  • Michal Krawczyk

    (University of Warsaw
    Group for Research in Applied Economics (GRAPE))

  • Joanna Tyrowicz

    (Group for Research in Applied Economics (GRAPE)
    University of Warsaw
    Institut für Arbeitsrecht und Arbeitsbeziehungen in der Europäischen Union (IAAEU)
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA))

  • Wojciech Hardy

Abstract

Over the past decade or so, the literature has sprung in analyses of the impact the so-called online or digital "piracy" has on sales. Since theory posits both positive and negative effects are possible, the question remains purely empirical. Consequently, there is a variety of published articles and working papers arguing in both ways, many of which attempt to account for the challenge of providing a reliable and causal effect. The objective of this survey is to review and discuss the accomplishments of the field so far. We also provide a tentative meta-analysis. Despite the multiplicity of measures and methods used we argue that the literature as a whole fails to reject the null hypothesis of no effects on sales.

Suggested Citation

  • Michal Krawczyk & Joanna Tyrowicz & Wojciech Hardy, 2020. "Friends or foes? A meta-analysis of the link between "online piracy" and sales of cultural goods," GRAPE Working Papers 45, GRAPE Group for Research in Applied Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:fme:wpaper:45
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    1. Anna Kukla-Gryz & Joanna Tyrowicz & Michał Krawczyk, 2021. "Digital piracy and the perception of price fairness: evidence from a field experiment," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 45(1), pages 105-131, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    online piracy; ethical judgment; vignette experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • P45 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - International Linkages
    • P52 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Studies of Particular Economies
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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