Hunting Unicorns? Experimental Evidence on Exclusionary Pricing Policies

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Law and Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 62
Issue: 3
Pages: 457 - 484

Authors (4)

Aaron Edlin (not in RePEc) Catherine Roux (Universität Basel) Armin Schmutzler (Universität Zürich) Christian Thöni (not in RePEc)

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 study the effects of above-cost exclusionary pricing and the efficacy of three policy responses by running experiments involving a monopoly incumbent and a potential entrant. Our experiments show that under a laissez-faire regime, the threat of postentry price cuts discourages entry and allows incumbents to charge monopoly prices. Current US policy does not help because it only bans below-cost pricing. In contrast, we find that a ban on postexit price hikes encourages entry; a ban on deep price cuts reduces preentry prices and encourages entry. While both these alternatives have less competitive outcomes after entry than laissez-faire does, they nevertheless both increase consumer welfare. For the latter proposal, this consumer gain is at the cost of lower overall welfare from attracting inefficient entrants, while for the former, overall welfare is comparable to current US policy.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlawec:doi:10.1086/705667
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-29