This paper estimates how overall consumer spending responds to changes in gasoline prices. It uses the differential impact across consumers of sharp drop prices 2014 for identification. estimation strategy is implemented using comprehensive, high-frequency, transaction-level data a large panel individuals. The average estimated marginal propensity consume (MPC) out unanticipated, permanent shoc...

To be represented by more than one contestant in a contest has advantages and disadvantages. This paper determines the conditions under which it is favorable to send several agents into the contest. JEL classi...cation numbers: D44, L11, L13

This paper studies the interaction between barriers to firm entry and distortions allocative efficiency in a standard model of dynamics. We derive strategy infer based on cross-country differences size distribution idiosyncratic distortions. The inferred resemble regulation-based indicators advanced economies but are substantially higher middle- low-income countries. Regulation-based cannot acc...

We dissect the impact of a large and sudden exchange rate appreciation on Swiss border import prices, retail consumer expenditures domestic imported nondurable goods, following removal EUR/CHF floor in January 2015. Cross-sectional variation price changes by currency invoicing carries over to prices allocations, impacting imports competing as well expenditures. provide measures sensitivity shar...

Wal-Mart is the largest company in the world, yet little is known about its economic impact. This essay discusses what is known about Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage and its economic impact on local communities, as well as the national and global economy, and highlights the open questions to be addressed by future research. JEL Codes: L11, L25, L81

This study analyzes the existence of a complementary relationship between public and private spending on Research and Development activities. The results show that public funding does not produce a substitution effect on private spending. In fact, depending on the methodology used, public subsidies actually produce a crowding in effect of up to 49% on private spending. JEL: C23; L11;

The large and growing industry of price comparison websites (PCWs) or ‘web aggregators’ is poised to benefit consumers by increasing competitive pricing pressure on firms acquainting shoppers with more prices. However, these sites also charge for sales, which feeds back raise I investigate the impact introducing PCWs a market homogeneous good. find that single PCW increases prices all consumers...

This note argues about a central analytical inconsistency of Ericson and Pakes (1995). Notwithstanding the explicit claims of the article, the formal hypotheses employed there imply that a firm’s investments do not affect both the evolution of this firm and the dynamics of the whole industry. JEL Classification Numbers: C62, D57, E13, L11.

In theory, regulators concerned about inequality will deviate from efficient two-part tariffs, charging lower-than-efficient fixed monthly fees and higher-than-efficient per-kilowatt-hour prices. To quantify that relationship, we develop a measure of the redistributive extent utility tariffs: “electric Gini.” Utilities with higher electric Ginis shift more costs households using relatively litt...