Monopoly Power and Distribution in Fragmented Markets: The Case of Groundwater

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 2004
Volume: 71
Issue: 3
Pages: 783-808

Authors (3)

Hanan G. Jacoby (World Bank Group) Rinku Murgai (not in RePEc) Saeed Ur Rehman (not in RePEc)

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

This paper examines monopoly power in the market for groundwater (irrigation water extracted by private tubewells), a market characterized by barriers to entry and spatial fragmentation. In Pakistan's Punjab region, groundwater and tenancy contracts are often interlinked, with share-tenants gaining access to water through the use of their landlord's tubewell. An analysis of groundwater transactions shows that tenants of tubewell owners are charged lower prices than other customers. Tubewell owners and their tenants also use considerably more groundwater on their plots than other farmers. Using detailed price and quantity data, the efficiency and distributional implications of this monopoly power are explored. Copyright 2004, Wiley-Blackwell.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:71:y:2004:i:3:p:783-808
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25