Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/107862 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. 14-150/VIII
Publisher: 
Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Abstract: 
One of the drivers of green consumerism are social network externalities that are associated with buying 'green' because green consumerism is fashionable, or because of reputation effects. We analyze how the strength of this social network effect impacts green consumerism, environmental externalities and total welfare. We discuss a model where products are differentiated according to their environmental quality, where the production of green products generates positive externalities to all, and where those consumers purchasing a green product variety receive the additional benefits of being a member of the network of green consumers. Depending on the strength of the social network effect, we show that (a) firms may produce lower quality, (b) the market may generate fewer positive environmental externalities, and (c) total welfare may deteriorate. The main policy implication is that if there is a network effect, regulators should choose a stricter minimum environmental quality standard.
Subjects: 
Quality Differentiation
Social Network Effect
Minimum Environmental Quality Standard
JEL: 
D11
L15
Q31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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