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This paper is the first attempt to adopt a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) framework with nominal price rigidity and monopolistic competition to compare the macroeconomic effects of unit and ad valorem capital taxes. Our results show that the welfare dominance between an ad valorem tax and a unit tax depends on their relative marginal costs. A higher marginal cost resulting from an increase in capital tax generates less consumption and more labor hours, leading to lower welfare. This result is robust to a varying elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption and a varying Frisch elasticity of labor supply, a varying degree of price rigidity and productive versus nonproductive public capital. In response to positive government spending shocks, our results indicate that when the increase in government spending is totally financed via capital taxation, a unit tax is superior to an ad valorem tax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We show that 0-ending prices are popular and rigid at convenience stores. • We use 3 datasets: two retail price datasets from the US, and CPI data from Israel. • Existing explanations rely on transaction convenience 0-ending prices offer. • We argue and show that cognitive convenience is relevant and important as well. • We show that cognitive convenience of 0-ending prices leads to higher demand. We assess the role of cognitive convenience in the popularity and rigidity of 0-ending prices in convenience settings. Studies show that 0-ending prices are common at convenience stores because of the transaction convenience that 0-ending prices offer. Using large store-level retail CPI data, we find that 0-ending prices are popular and rigid at convenience stores even when they offer little transaction convenience. We corroborate these findings with two large retail scanner price datasets from Dominick's and Nielsen. In Dominick's data, we find that there are more 0-endings in the prices of the items in the front-end candies category than in any other category, even though these prices do not affect the convenience of the consumers' check-out transaction. In addition, in both Dominick's and Nielsen's datasets, we find that 0-ending prices have a positive effect on demand. Ruling out consumer antagonism and retailers' use of heuristics in pricing, we conclude that 0-ending prices are popular and rigid, and that they increase demand in convenience settings, not only for their transaction convenience but also for the cognitive convenience they offer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robert Lucas' ([1972b] 1981a) article on the neutrality of money represented the first effective challenge to Samuelson's neoclassical synthesis methodological separation between static microeconomic optimisation and macroeconomic dynamics. Lucas rejected disequilibrium price dynamics, as expressed by the Walrasian tâtonnement and auctioneer mechanisms. Lucas' new treatment of equilibrium as an expectational concept, determined by the rational behaviour of information processing agents, was not restricted to market clearing competitive economies. Lucas' effort to compare alternative rational expectations models of price stickiness (including his 1972 original formulation) led him to stress the notion of descriptive realism of the models' main assumptions, which played an important role in his original discussion of model robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: The issue of price flexibility is crucial in the economy both in the aspect of company theory and its macroeconomic consequences. In a number of publications, the sources of variable price flexibility are linked to the market power of enterprises as well as the market structure that has developed in a given branch. It is difficult to indicate empirical studies that would state clearly whether price flexibility depends on the degree of monopoly or the market power of enterprises. This paper concerns that particular field of study. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the paper is to present the statistical dependence of the degree of monopoly and market power vs. price flexibility in the economy. Methods: The analysis has been conducted using aggregated data concerning Polish economy in the period from 2001 to 2013, based on COICOP. The degree of monopoly indicator was the average number of companies in a given branch, following the classical models of market structures; the market power indicator was the average net revenue from sales of products per enterprise representing a given branch; the measure of price flexibility was the probability of price variation estimated using the Calvo pricing model. It is, therefore, a frequency-based approach to price flexibility. Statistical dependence was analyzed using the Spearman's rank and Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient and simple regression models. Findings & Value added: The outcomes indicate that in the case of Poland in the analyzed period there is no statistically significant relation between the degree of monopoly and price flexibility and also between the market power and price flexibility. Thus, the findings of the analysis support the studies which reject the assumption that higher degree of monopoly or higher market power of an enterprise is followed by less flexible prices.

The study analyzes the consumer price behavior by employing the micro-level price data for Pakistan. Substantial heterogeneity in the price setting behavior is observed across various products. The study finds that on an average, 15.8 per cent of prices change every week, with mean (median) duration of 5.8 (4) weeks of price spell. For most commodities, price increase is found more often than the price decrease. On an average, prices are increased by 8.1 per cent and reduced by 7.2 per cent. It reveals a broad spectrum of synchronization across cities ranging from partial staggered to perfect synchronized pricing behavior. The sticky nature of regulated commodities in case of Pakistan is confirmed in the study. Highly significant estimates in the regression analysis proves the existence of elements of both, the state dependent as well as the time dependent factors in determining frequency of the price change in Pakistan.

We propose a new theory of price rigidity based on firms' Knightian uncertainty about their competitive environment. This uncertainty has two key implications. First, firms learn about the shape of their demand function from past observations of quantities sold. This learning gives rise to kinks in the expected profit function at previously observed prices, making those prices both sticky and more likely to reoccur. Second, uncertainty about the relationship between aggregate and industry‐level inflation generates nominal rigidity. We prove the main insights analytically and quantify the effects of our mechanism. Our estimated quantitative model is consistent with a wide range of micro‐level pricing facts that are typically challenging to match jointly. It also implies significantly more persistent monetary non‐neutrality than in standard models, allowing it to generate large real effects from nominal shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examine the relative magnitude of price reductions for product systems and their constituent components (e.g., cameras, computers, monitors, lenses) and hypothesize that these price reductions systematically vary across different types of systems. The authors offer rational inattention as an explanation and document patterns of downward rigidity in online prices of computers and cameras that are consistent with this view. Their basic argument is that under certain circumstances, it is rational for consumers to ignore small price changes. This results in some price rigidity because firms would see no demand effect for small reductions. The authors suggest that this inattention systematically varies across different types of multicomponent systems, leading to specific hypotheses about sellers' pricing behavior. They first check the validity of their theoretical arguments using data from two surveys of consumers and managers. They then examine 669,557 daily price listings for 1052 high-end cameras and computers from 102 online vendors and find evidence consistent with their predictions. Using publicly available web traffic data, the authors also find that their predicted pricing behavior is aligned with better traffic response for the firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore daily patterns of Internet pricing for the two major retailers, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble (BN). using data on 377 books collected over a 449-day period in 2003-4. We frame this investigation in terms of a key question; How rigid are prices on the Internet? Are there reasons to suggest that prior predictions of more flexible prices on the Internet may not have been founded on the appropriate theoretical knowledge? We find that Internet retailers, in contrast with traditional firms, adjust prices any day of the week throughout the year. Yet firms' price adjustments for books occur much less frequently than daily--every 90 days on average. For most observers of Internet-based selling, this is surprising, because most expect more frequent price adjustments--based on the quality of technological environment that supports price-setting. In fact, our results show that price-change activity appears to vary by book category, from a high of one change, on average, every 61 days for best sellers to a low of one change every 184 days, on average, for steady sellers. In addition, we learned that individual firms exhibited different patterns for their price changes: Amazon changed book prices every 222 days, whereas BN changed its book prices more frequently, every 56 days on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a survey on price-setting behavior conducted on a large random sample of Swedish firms. The median firm adjusts the price once a year. State- and time-dependent price setting are about equally important. The four highest-ranked explanations for price rigidity in this study (implicit contracts, sluggish costs, explicit contracts, and the kinked demand curve) have close correspondents among the top five places in two similar large-scale surveys carried out in the UK and the U.S. The results point to the importance of the long-term relations with customers for the rigidity of prices (the estimated share of sales that go to regular customers is more than 80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article would analyze the determination of Rupiah exchange rate by using equilibrium and disequilibrium concepts. This analysis became important for policy maker because disequilibrium reflected distortion towards relative price related to domestic policies. The research results showed that Rupiah exchange rate was in disequilibrium condition. The conclusion was based on Indonesia Bank policies that conducted intervention through some regulations by emerging Indonesia Bank regulations and conducting intervention on foreign exchange market, both in demand and supply. The Indonesia Bank policies aimed to stabilize Rupiah exchange rate that led to equilibrium exchange rate. The research results also showed Purchasing Power Parity did not applied in short term. It indicated market inefficiency and led to price rigidity in commodity market. The price rigidity caused price adjustment did not work. As a result, market was in disequilibrium condition.

In this paper we consider the effect of epsilon maximization on firm behavior. In particular we focus on the dynamic behavior of firms with the use of the example of price‐setting: We show how almost-rational firms can be more volatile in their behavior. However, if a lexicographic preference for simplicity is made, then we can explain nominal price rigidity as a result of epsilon optimization. The behavior of the firm—which is consistent with its long‐term survival—is examined. We argue that epsilon-optimization is consistent with survival in any context in which something is optimized: such as sales revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: The issue of price flexibility is crucial in the economy both in the aspect of company theory and its macroeconomic consequences. In a number of publications, the sources of variable price flexibility are linked to the market power of enterprises as well as the market structure that has developed in a given branch. It is difficult to indicate empirical studies that would state clearly whether price flexibility depends on the degree of monopoly or the market power of enterprises. This paper concerns that particular field of study. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the paper is to present the statistical dependence of the degree of monopoly and market power vs. price flexibility in the economy. Methods: The analysis has been conducted using aggregated data concerning Polish economy in the period from 2001 to 2013, based on COICOP. The degree of monopoly indicator was the average number of companies in a given branch, following the classical models of market structures; the market power indicator was the average net revenue from sales of products per enterprise representing a given branch; the measure of price flexibility was the probability of price variation estimated using the Calvo pricing model. It is, therefore, a frequency-based approach to price flexibility. Statistical dependence was analyzed using the Spearman's rank and Kendall's tau correlation coefficient and simple regression models. Findings & Value added: The outcomes indicate that in the case of Poland in the analyzed period there is no statistically significant relation between the degree of monopoly and price flexibility and also between the market power and price flexibility. Thus, the findings of the analysis support the studies which reject the assumption that higher degree of monopoly or higher market power of an enterprise is followed by less flexible prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Applied Economics / Economía Aplicada is the property of FEA-RP, Universidade de Sao Paulo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study develops a two-period model in which the manufacturer determines a price floor and sets production output before demand becomes certain. The model defines the distance between price floor and high-demand-state price in concern to the degree of price flexibility. While conflicting empirical results underscore the importance of theoretical underpinnings, this study shows that economies of scale determine the relation between market competition and price rigidity. A decline in output leads to higher average costs in the industry characterised by economies of scale, a hike in average costs adds pressure on the inventory liquidation that drives price cutting in the low-demand state. Prices tend to more fluctuate as the product becomes more homogeneous or more players enter into the industry. The knowledge of the relationship between market competition, product homogeneity, and price rigidity is critical in formulating antitrust and monetary policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present research is sought to analyse asymmetrical effects of exchange rates and income of tourists on tourist arrivals in Malaysia. A non‐linear model has been formulated to examine symmetrical and asymmetrical effects of exchange rate quarterly data from year 2000 to 2017. Results have revealed that both depreciation and appreciation of domestic currency value lead to a decrease in number of inbound tourist arrivals at long run. Moreover, it is found that price rigidity in Malaysian tourism sector may influence decision of tourists to select alternative destination. Besides, reduction in the real‐effective exchange rate does not have adverse effect in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the relationship between price-setting behavior and the degree of competition in a setting where markets and information flows are relatively imperfect. Using a unique dataset that combines survey data on retail outlets in Lesotho, and detailed historical information on their product prices, we find a non-monotonic relationship between the frequency of price changes and perceived competition, measured by the number of reported competitors. This non-monotonic relationship is consistent with a model of increasing costs of coordinating price changes under tacit collusion with few competitors, and a breakdown of collusion at higher levels of competition. By exploring the nature of the relationship between competition and price rigidity, our study has implications for macroeconomic and competition policy, and underscores the scope for interaction between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hacettepe University Journal of Economics & Administrative Sciences / Hacettepe Üniversitesi Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Hacettepe University, Faculty of Economic & Administrative Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

How does cost pass-through to prices depend on the set of products a multi-product firm owns? Using a structural demand model for the Swedish beer market, we simulate equilibrium cost pass-through for varying counterfactual ownership patterns. We find that a firm with a larger number of products in its portfolio and a higher degree of substitutability among these products adopts a lower pass-through of costs. While the direction of results is robust, our simulations show that the muting effect on pass-through is limited when comparing pass-through by stand-alone firms to pass-through under the actual, moderately concentrated market structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I present the historical, theoretical and empirical background of DSGE models. I show that the fundament of these models lies in optimizing agents framework and argue which impulses fueled the development of DSGE models. I demonstrate the evolution of DSGE models with an accent on the role and effects of the monetary policy, using distinction between RBC models and New Keynesian models. I explain the paradigm shift from the RBC models to the New Keynesian models by pointing out the main pitfalls of the RBC models and showing how adding nominal rigidities to the otherwise standard RBC models enhances empirical properties of these models. I also discuss how nominal rigidities are modeled in New Keynesian DSGE models and what the pros and cons of different approaches are. Finally, I review the most important New Keynesian theories of nominal rigidities and some of the empirical evidence on price and wage rigidities

This paper analyzes nominal price development in Norway from 1830 to 1920 and fills a gap in the literature on nominal price rigidity in Europe during the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. The research question: how did the nominal price rigidity change in Norway during this time period? The focus on Norway is justified because of the availability of historical data and gaps in literature concerning the nominal rigidities. The analysis of some of the digitized data for Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger during the period of 1830-1913 indicate that: a) The flexibility of prices did not change much during the classical Gold Standard in Norway; b) The change in price rigidity mainly came because of the changing magnitude of price changes; c) The decrease in magnitude might have happened before the Gold Standard took effect in Norway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper exploits a legal change in Israel that banned the use of non-zero-digit price endings (e.g., 6.99) to study the relationship between digit price endings and price rigidity. We compare the propensity of product prices to change before and after the ban, while distinguishing between products whose prices ended with a zero and products whose prices did not end with a zero digit before the ban. We find that before the ban, zero-digit price endings were more likely to change, typically upward, compared with products with non-zero digit price endings. After the legal change these differences disappeared. Overall, these findings support the Price Point Theory ( Blinder, 1991 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Omer Halisdemir Universitesi Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Omer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Economics & Admistrative Sciene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article seeks to check the nonlinearity of the Phillips curve in Tunisia for the 1993-2012 period, relying on a hybrid new Keynesian Phillips curve modeled via a Logistic Smooth Transition Regression (LSTR) model with endogenous variables. We estimate this model using the nonlinear instrumental variables. The empirical results corroborate the new Keynesian assumption ofprice rigidity and show that the response of inflation to the output gap tends to be significant only if the inflation rate tends to be relatively high and exceeds a certain threshold. For a low inflation rate, the price rigidity dominates. This result is particularly evident in Tunisia, especially for the years following the 2011 revolution during which the elasticity of inflation rate to an excess demand has become highly important and the inflation rate experienced record levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides additional evidence that factor contents of different consumers’ consumption bundles computed from multiple households closed Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models are approximately proportional. This empirical regularity has been observed up to now for a total of 11 CGEs for very diverse countries, and we therefore state it as law. It implies that these models display price rigidity with respect to endowment re-allocations, an observation which has broad implications for their capacity to capture general equilibrium effects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In an attempt to find out the degree of monetary non-neutrality in Nigeria we started from finding out the size of price rigidity in the country. Computation with Ball and Romer method showed that price rigidity is optimal decision for firms in Nigeria only when the menu cost is well above 2.28% of the firm’s revenue which is on the high side, showing the likelihood of weak price rigidity in the country. Confirming this, the IRFs of the SVAR shows that the response of inflation to nominal shock has only one period lag. These combined results led to a small though persistent response of output to the nominal shock. The result of the study therefore points towards large nominal and small real effect of monetary policy in Nigeria and conclude that monetary policy will be a better option for contractionary plan but not for an expansionary plan.