Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/56736 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
SFB 649 Discussion Paper No. 2011-019
Publisher: 
Humboldt University of Berlin, Collaborative Research Center 649 - Economic Risk, Berlin
Abstract: 
Recent monetary search and Calvo-type models predict that the relationship between inflation and price dispersion is U-shaped, implying an optimal rate of inflation above zero. Moreover, monetary search models emphasize a critical dependence of the real effects of inflation on sellers' market power, whereas Calvotype models suggest that the degree of price rigidity significantly affects the inflation - price dispersion nexus. Using a new set of highly disaggregated sectoral price data from a panel of European countries, this paper contributes to the literature by testing the empirical relevance of these two theoretical predictions. In line with monetary search theory, a U-shaped profile is found, provided that markups are sufficiently high, but the relationship breaks down under a more competitive environment. Contrarily, no evidence is found to support the contentions of Calvo-type models: U-shaped effects of inflation occur in product sectors with sticky as well as highly flexible prices.
Subjects: 
inflation
relative price variability
price level index
Euro-area
market structure
monetary search model
dynamic panel data models
JEL: 
C23
D40
E31
F15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
562.76 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.