Product Differentiation and Oligopoly: A Network Approach

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2025
Volume: 115
Issue: 4
Pages: 1170-1225

Score contribution per author:

8.043 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

I present a new theory of oligopoly and markups in general equilibrium, based on an innovative, scalable hedonic demand system, which I take to the data for the universe of US public firms. In my model, firms compete in a network of product market rivalries that emerge endogenously out of the characteristics of the products they supply. I estimate that consumer surplus is almost three times as large as profits; decompose firm-level markups into metrics of quality-adjusted productivity and market centrality; and analyze the extent, evolution, and drivers of monopoly power in the United States between 1995 and 2021.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:115:y:2025:i:4:p:1170-1225
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29