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Inefficiencies in Networked Markets

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Abstract

jats:p In many markets, relationship specific investments are necessary for trade. These formed relationships constitute a networked market in which not all buyers can trade with all sellers. We show that networked markets can be decomposed to identify how alternative trading opportunities affect who trades with whom and at what price. This uncovers agents' incentives to invest in relationships. Investment inefficiencies can eliminate all the gains from trade, but for reasons that differ depending on how investments are made. Three applications are considered in detail: high-skill labor markets, merger markets when industries are consolidating, and the international market for natural gas. (JEL C78, D85, D86) </jats:p>

Description

Keywords

38 Economics, 3502 Banking, Finance and Investment, 3801 Applied Economics, 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services

Journal Title

AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-MICROECONOMICS

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1945-7669
1945-7685

Volume Title

7

Publisher

American Economic Association