Monopolistic Competition and Optimum Product Diversity under Firm Heterogeneity

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2019
Volume: 127
Issue: 1
Pages: 196 - 232

Score contribution per author:

4.036 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

Empirical work has drawn attention to the high degree of productivity differences within industries and their role in resource allocation. This paper examines the allocational efficiency of such markets. Productivity differences introduce two new margins of potential inefficiency: selection of the right distribution of firms and allocation of the right quantities across firms. We show that these considerations affect welfare and policy analysis, and market power across firms leads to distortions in resource allocation. Demand-side elasticities determine how resources are misallocated and when increased competition from market expansion provides welfare gains.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/700732
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25