Dynamic pricing and asymmetries in retail gasoline markets: What can they tell us about price stickiness?

C-Tier
Journal: Economics Letters
Year: 2014
Volume: 122
Issue: 2
Pages: 247-252

Authors (2)

Douglas, Christopher C. (not in RePEc) Herrera, Ana María (University of Kentucky)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

Theoretical explanations for price stickiness used in businesses cycle models are diverse (e.g., information processing delays, rational inattention and fair pricing), with each theory resulting in a different implication for inflation dynamics. Using an autoregressive conditional binomial model and a data set consisting of daily observations of price and cost for 15 Philadelphia retail gasoline stations, we test which of these theories is most consistent with the observed pattern of price adjustment. Our findings of time dependence, asymmetry and the role of cost volatility are consistent with a combination of fairness considerations and rational inattention by producers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecolet:v:122:y:2014:i:2:p:247-252
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25