期刊名称:Discussion Papers of the Department of Economics, University of St.Gallen = Diskussionspapiere der Volkswirtschaftlichen Abteilung der Universität St.Gallen
出版年度:2003
卷号:2003
出版社:Universität St. Gallen
摘要:Customer markets are characterized by long-term relations between buyers and sellers. Long-term relations evolve if buyers trust sellers to provide high quality and if sellers are trustworthy. However, changes in the terms of this implicit contract may antagonize customers and disrupt the relation. We experimentally show that mutually beneficial long-term relations frequently prevail in markets for experience goods, and that price rigidity after a temporary cost shock is much more pronounced if price increases cannot be justified by cost increases. Hence, long-term relations on customer markets mitigate market failure of the “lemons” type, but are prone to price stickiness.