Clicks, Discontinuities, and Firm Demand Online

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
Year: 2009
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 935-975

Authors (4)

Michael R. Baye (Indiana University) J. Rupert J. Gatti (not in RePEc) Paul Kattuman (not in RePEc) John Morgan

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We exploit a unique dataset from a price comparison site to estimate the determinants of clicks received by online retailers. We find that a firm enjoys a 60% jump in its clicks when it offers the lowest price at the site, and failure to account for discontinuities distorts parameter estimates by nearly 100%. This discontinuity is consistent with a variety of models that have been used to rationalize online price dispersion. Finally, we show that one may use estimates of the determinants of a firm's clicks to obtain bounds on its underlying demand parameters, including standard elasticities of demand.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:jemstr:v:18:y:2009:i:4:p:935-975
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-24