Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
884278 Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 2009 13 Pages PDF
Abstract

The paper investigates price formation in a decentralized market with random matching. Agents are assumed to have subdued social preferences: buyers, for example, prefer a lower price to a higher one but experience reduced utility increases below a reference price that serves as a common fairness benchmark. The strategic equilibrium reflects market fundamentals, but it is markedly less sensitive to the buyer–seller ratio near the fair price benchmark. Prices may be sticky around very different reference levels in markets with otherwise identical fundamentals. The implied history dependence turns out to be mitigated rather than exacerbated by friction.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Economics, Econometrics and Finance Economics and Econometrics
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