Monopolistic Competition and Optimum Product Selection

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2014
Volume: 104
Issue: 5
Pages: 304-09

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide novel insights on the decentralization of optimal outcomes under monopolistic competition with nonseparable utility, variable demand elasticity, and endogenous firm heterogeneity. Relative to the unconstrained optimum, equilibrium firm selection is too weak, average firm size is too small, low-cost firms are too small, and high-cost firms are too large. The unconstrained optimum can be decentralized through differentiated production subsidies to producers financed through lump-sum taxes on entrants and consumers. When differentiated subsidies and transfers from entrants are not viable, the constrained optimum can be decentralized through a common production subsidy financed by a lump-sum tax on consumers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:5:p:304-09
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26