The impact of the market transparency unit for fuels on gasoline prices in Germany
Publication date
2017
Document type
Research article
Author
Organisational unit
Publisher
Routledge
Series or journal
Applied economics letters
Periodical volume
24
Periodical issue
5
First page
302
Last page
305
Peer-reviewed
✅
Part of the university bibliography
✅
Language
English
Abstract
Increasing horizontal as well as vertical transparency in oligopolistic markets can be advantageous for consumers, due to reduced search costs. However, market transparency can also affect incentives to deviate from collusive agreements and the punishment by rival firms in the market. Using a panel of 27 European countries, we analyze the impact of increased market transparency via the introduction of a market transparency unit for fuels in Germany. Applying a difference-in-differences approach, we find evidence that both gasoline and diesel prices have increased. While consumers may be better off using a retail price app for fuels, gas stations are also able to compare prices at almost no cost.
Cite as
Enthalten in: Applied economics letters. - New York, NY : Routledge, 1994. - Online-Ressource . - Bd. 24.2017, 5, Seite 302-305
Version
Not applicable (or unknown)
Access right on openHSU
Metadata only access