Prices and Price Dispersion on the Web: Evidence from the Online Book Industry

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Industrial Economics
Year: 2001
Volume: 49
Issue: 4
Pages: 521-539

Authors (3)

Karen Clay (Carnegie Mellon University) Ramayya Krishnan (not in RePEc) Eric Wolff (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.345 = (α=2.02 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Using data collected between August, 1999, and January, 2000, covering 399 books, we examine pricing by thirty‐two online United States‐based bookstores. At the aggregate level, we find that both advertising and competitive structure had the predicted effects. More competition led to lower prices and to lower price dispersion. Holding competitive structure constant, more widely advertised items also had lower prices. At the firm level, we observe considerable heterogeneity in behavior. Firms had differentiated (or attempted to differentiate) on dimensions such as brand, price, and selection.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:jindec:v:49:y:2001:i:4:p:521-539
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25