Income Distribution, Product Quality, and International Trade

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2011
Volume: 119
Issue: 4
Pages: 721 - 765

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We develop a framework for studying trade in horizontally and vertically differentiated products. In our model, consumers with heterogeneous incomes and tastes purchase a homogeneous good and make a discrete choice of quality and variety of a differentiated product. The distribution of preferences generates a nested-logit demand structure such that the fraction of consumers who buy a higher-quality product rises with income. The model features a home-market effect that helps to explain why richer countries export higher-quality goods. It provides a tractable tool for studying the welfare consequences of trade and trade policy for different income groups in an economy.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/662628
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25