Relaxing Competition Through Quality Differentiation and Price Discrimination

Titelangaben

Herweg, Fabian:
Relaxing Competition Through Quality Differentiation and Price Discrimination.
In: Journal of Economics. Bd. 106 (2012) Heft 1 . - S. 1-26.
ISSN 1617-7134
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00712-011-0232-x

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Abstract

In this paper, I compare two-part tariff competition to linear pricing in a vertically differentiated duopoly. Consumers have identical tastes for quality but differ in their preferences for quantity. The main finding is that quality differentiation occurs in equilibrium if and only if two-part tariffs are feasible. Furthermore, two-part tariff competition encourages entry, which in turn increases welfare. Nevertheless, two-part tariff competition decreases consumer surplus compared to linear pricing.