Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-261).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-261).

The present study attempts to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the physical and economic forces that influence the dynamic path of hybrid seed pricing for a broad acre crop over time. Of the physical and economic forces influencing the dynamic path of hybrid development, the sequential and cumulative nature of crop development is particularly discussed. Specifically, the canola hybrid seed industry in Canada is studied. This study will have particularly important implications for industries that are considering stronger intellectual property rights inside and outside Canada. The model presented in Chapter 2 makes a significant contribution to the “product variety” literature. While Chamberlinian models are confined to one representative consumer and location models are not very helpful in analysis of more than two characteristics, the model developed in Chapter 2 incorporates differentiated buyers and multiple characteristics. Schumpeter’s temporary market power can be derived from new characteristics embodied in old products. Results show that more progressive industries are likely to have a smaller equilibrium number of firms and shorter product cycles, ceteris paribus. Chapter 3 endogenizes rate of yield potential growth as a function of firms’ initial investment. Results show that greater investment productivity results in fewer varieties in the market, shorter product cycles, higher prices, higher profit levels, lower optimal investment, and higher consolidation. Also, it is shown that if increased differentiation creates enough space in the market for a new entrant, then entry of a new rival will increase competition and may result in a decrease in the incumbents’ profit. Chapter 4 uses data from Canadian canola industry to empirically test some of the propositions discussed in Chapter 2. Results confirm that as a variety becomes more specific its market share decreases. It is also shown that degree of specificity is a proper measure of adaptability for seed varieties as it provides high explanatory power in the regression models and also can be used to make direct economic interpretation. Chapter 5 presents a conclusion, policy implications, and potential approaches for future research.

This dissertation investigates how competition among heterogeneous firms affects R&D in quality enhancement in a quality-ladder type framework for a Cournot oligopolistic industry. The research also analyzes the welfare implications of various policies that promotes R&D. Some of the theoretical predictions are then tested empirically using firm-level data for Bangladesh from the World Bank's enterprise survey. Chapter 1 shows that a rise in the cost of production of the competitor will induce a firm to invest more in R&D if and only if the quality difference between the existing product and the product emerging from R&D activities is sufficiently large. Also, welfare-reducing effect of helping a `minor' firm is lower in the presence of possible quality differences. Empirical results supports the theoretical findings. Chapter 2 shows that protecting domestic industry of high quality goods encourages firms to invest more in R&D. The size of the optimal tariff depends on the degree of product differentiation and market share of the foreign firms and is not necessarily positive. Chapter 3 shows that a small tariff imposed by the trading partner on the high quality good will deter R&D. However, as the tariff gets bigger, the relationship changes sign. The size of an R&D subsidy depends on the market share of the firms. Empirical results provide support to the theoretical findings.

This dissertation consists of three essays which examine the importance of common institutional ownership of industry rivals for firm financial policy and product market interactions. In the first chapter, I use data on all public firms in the U.S. and their owners to construct a "modified Herfindahl-Hirschman index" (MHHID) of market concentration that is firm-specific and based on the network of institutional ownership between rival firms. I find that increases in MHHID lead to lower firm cash holdings. My findings are consistent with theories which predict that firms facing a lower competitive threat can afford to maintain lower cash buffers. To address potential endogeneity concerns, I exploit a shock to common ownership stemming from outflows associated with a large mutual fund scandal in 2003. In the second chapter, I provide evidence showing that firm pairwise common ownership leads to an increase in rival coordination. I find that pairs of commonly held firms move closer together in product space. These findings are supportive of collaboration theories of common ownership and inconsistent with anti-competitive theories. I further show that when MMHID increases, firms differentiate their products from their rivals. This result is consistent with theories according to which lower competition relaxes constraints and reduces uncertainty and enables firms to choose a more unique product market strategy. The result is inconsistent with escape-the-competition theories of product differentiation. To address potential endogeneity concerns, I exploit exogenous outflows resulting from the 2003 mutual fund scandal. In the third chapter, I propose a new identification strategy, which can be used to study the effects of MHHID. My strategy has substantially better time-series and cross-sectional coverage relative to previously used instruments. Specifically, I first identify mutual funds that are exposed to under-performing industries and are likely to face outflows. Then, I calculate the proportion of the MHHID such exposed funds are responsible for in unaffected industries. I show that this ratio strongly predicts future changes in MHHID, cash holdings and product market differentiation. Building on the same strategy, I also find that commonly held firms move closer together in product space.

No description available.

Submitted by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2016-08-08T18:24:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SOUZA_Thiago_2016.pdf: 2372088 bytes, checksum: 9af1c54e19780434125f0f315fefa0fd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-08T18:24:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SOUZA_Thiago_2016.pdf: 2372088 bytes, checksum: 9af1c54e19780434125f0f315fefa0fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Due to the complexity of markets and intense competition organizations are looking for new ways to generate sustainable competitive advantage, that it is the competitive advantage that can not be copied in the short term by competitors. In this sense, the distribution channels emerge, which are the set of interdependent organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption. Integrating the distribution channel as intermediaries are wholesalers and retailers, who act as an important link between the industry and the end consumer. In general, these organizations carry out a number of elements of the marketing strategy in the distribution channel and so develop and maintain long-term relationships with partners and other channel members. The objective of this research is to identify how the elements of the marketing strategy influence on the aspects of the relationship. This study has as its core the wholesale distributor perspective, but also identifies the views of small food and retail industry. This research has qualitative and exploratory nature character, using as main methods the case study and the technique of critical incident. As a data collection instrument, we opted for the construction of semistructured in order to support the conduct of interviews. nine interviews were conducted, two in the distributor wholesaler four in food industries and three small retailers. For data analysis, we used the technical characteristics of the critical incident, content analysis and triangulation. The survey results identified the elements of the marketing strategy and relationship issues primarily from the perspective of distributor wholesaler. It has been found empirically that targeting influences the trust; the element influencing product partnerships and satisfaction; price element affects power / dependence, conflict, cooperation and satisfaction; element of marketing communication relates to investment, exchange of information and commitment; element distribution influences the conflict, among other relations. Ultimately, this study presents an analysis of the gaps / shortcomings as they relate to the elements of the marketing strategy developed by the wholesale distributor or the aspects of the relationship with food and small retail industry. Finally, we present the implications both managerial and theoretical, limitations and future research suggestions. / Devido a complexidade dos mercados e a intensa concorrência as organizações estão procurando novas formas de gerar vantagem competitiva sustentável, que trata-se do diferencial competitivo que não pode ser copiado em curto prazo pela concorrência. Nesse sentido, surgem os canais de distribuição, que são o conjunto de organizações interdependentes envolvidas no processo de tornar um produto ou serviço disponível para uso ou consumo. Integrando o canal de distribuição como intermediários estão atacadistas e varejistas, que atuam como importante elo de ligação entre a indústria e o consumidor final. Em geral, essas organizações realizam uma série de elementos da estratégia de marketing no canal de distribuição e para isso desenvolvem e mantém relacionamentos de longo prazo com parceiros e outros membros do canal. O objetivo desta pesquisa consiste em identificar como os elementos da estratégia de marketing exercem influência sobre os aspectos do relacionamento. Este estudo possui como elemento central a perspectiva do atacado distribuidor, mas também identifica as visões de indústria alimentícia e pequeno varejo. Esta pesquisa possui caráter qualitativo e cunho exploratório, utilizando como principais métodos o estudo de caso e a técnica do incidente crítico. Como instrumento de coleta de dados, optouse pela construção do roteiro semi-estruturado como forma de apoio à condução das entrevistas. Foram realizadas nove entrevistas, sendo duas no atacadista distribuidor, quatro em indústrias alimentícias e três em pequenos varejos. Para análise de dados, utilizou-se das características da técnica do incidente crítico, análise de conteúdo e triangulação. Os resultados da pesquisa identificaram os elementos da estratégia de marketing e os aspectos de relacionamento primordialmente sob a ótica do atacadista distribuidor. Verificou-se empiricamente que a segmentação exerce influência sobre a confiança; o elemento produto influencia parcerias e satisfação; elemento preço afeta poder/dependência, conflito, cooperação e satisfação; elemento comunicação de marketing se relaciona com investimento, troca de informações e compromisso; elemento distribuição exerce influência sobre o conflito, entre outras relações. Em última instância, este estudo apresenta a análise sobre os gaps/lacunas no que se referem aos elementos da estratégia de marketing desenvolvidos pelo atacado distribuidor ou nos aspectos do relacionamento com a indústria alimentícia e pequeno varejo. Por fim, são apresentadas as implicações tanto gerenciais quanto teóricas, limitações e sugestões de pesquisas futuras.

Master of Science / Department of Agricultural Economics / Michael A. Boland / The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of supply control variables such as market share; DO/PGI cheese hedonic quality attributes such as country of origin, type of milk, and age; and the price of a substitute artesian or farmstead cheese on the price of imported cheeses. The literature review found that the EU has been a leader in developing a process for verifying foods produced in a local geographic area. It also revealed that the ability to control supply of a differentiated product transferred consumer surplus to producer surplus. The economic theory suggests that PDO/PGI certification results in the ability of the group of producers and / or processor to control supply by effectively causing a vertical kink in the supply curve and sufficiently differentiated products have a relatively inelastic demand curve. Data was collected on 83 PDO cheeses manufactured in the EU and sold in the US. This data included market share defined as the total tons of that PDO cheese produced in that geographic region divided by the total hectares of land. Hedonic variables characterize the PDO cheeses based on aging time, type of input and country of production. The price of a competing artisan cheese similar to the PDO cheese was identified. All of these variables were used in an ordinary least squares regression model to explain the variation in the price of the imported cheese. The regression results founded that market share, country of origin (Italy and Spain), and the price of a substitute were significant in explaining the variability in imported PDO cheese prices. Market share had a greater magnitude of change suggesting that, at the margin, a small change in supply can cause a larger change in supply which was not surprising given an inelastic demand curve and a fixed supply curve. Substitutes were actually complements which at first glance appears surprising. Finally, as one might suspect, a cheese that is more mature, like wine, has a greater value.

Problembakgrund: Marknaden för profilkläder består idag av många aktörer, företag medfokus på enbart profilkläder och företag som huvudsakligen fokuserar på yrkeskläder. Detskapas en viss problematik inom profilbranschen som ligger i hur företag väljer att profilerasitt företag. Kläder som skulle kunna fungera som profilplagg finns tillgängligt i helakonfektionsbranschen och detta leder till en stor och splittrad profilklädesmarknad. Dåaktörerna är många och därmed också företagens val av profilering blir det alltmer viktigt förföretag att hitta nya idéer och lösningar för att följa med i konkurrensen. Uppdraget ochutgångspunkten i studien har varit att redogöra hur en framtida utveckling avkonfektionsföretaget Blåkläders profilsortiment skulle kunna se ut.Syfte: Vårt övergripande syfte med studien är att undersöka och kartlägga Blåklädersprofilsortiment. Syftet med uppsatsen är även att undersöka hur man kan användadifferentiering som ett verktyg vid sortimentsutveckling samt att ge förslag till hur Blåklädersprofilsortiment kan utvecklas.Metod: Studien har utförts genom en kvalitativ undersökning. Vårt empiriska material bestårav intervjuer med konkurrenter för att granska hur företaget Blåkläder står sig gentemot dessa.Vidare har vi gjort en undersökning med slutkunder där slumpvis utvalda företag tillfrågats.Teoretisk referensram: Vi har valt att använda oss av olika modeller och teorier för attkunna uppnå studiens syfte; Porters femkraftsmodell, konkurrentanalys,produktkonceptmodellen samt Swot-analys.Analys och slutsats: Studiens slutsatser visar att de belysta företagens profilsortimentinnehåller liknande produkter, men skiljer sig åt vad det gäller design, bredd och paketering avsortimentet. Företaget Fristads har valt att benämna sortimentet med ett eget varumärkesnamnoch skapat en tydlig differentiering på marknaden. Björnkläder har också valt att namnge delarav sortimentet, men de har inte gjort en tydlig paketering av sortimentet. Utifrån studiensresultat presenterades möjligheter för Blåkläder att utveckla sitt profilsortiment. Möjlighetersåsom att göra en tydligare produktdifferentiering, att skapa ett unikt koncept som skiljer sigfrån konkurrenter, hitta kärnan och en röd tråd i sortimentet, och skapa plagg med bättrepassform då detta efterfrågas av slutkunderna. Företag kan, oavsett i vilken bransch manverkar, tillämpa differentiering som ett verktyg vid sortimentsutveckling.Sammanfattning på engelska: Background and problem discussion: The market of profile clothing consists of differentactors; companies that only produce profile clothing and companies that produce bothprofile clothing and work wear. A common issue in the profile market is how companieschoose to profile their company. There are many products in the clothing industry that couldact as profile clothes. That is why the market for profile clothing today is fragmented.Because of the large amount of actors it is important to find new ideas and solutions forcompanies to develop their assortment of profile clothing. The starting point of this paperwas to give suggestions and describe how a future range of products for Blåkläder wouldlook like.Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to study and analyze the profile assortment ofBlåkläder. Moreover the purpose was also to analyze how to use product differentiation todevelop the assortment. We also wanted to give Blåkläder suggestions regarding how todevelop their profile assortment.Method: This paper has been based on a qualitative research. The empirical researchconsists of interviews with competitors of Blåkläder. The paper also includes a researchwith final costumers.Theoretical frame of reference: To achieve the purpose of this paper we have usedseveral models and theories; the five forces (Porter), competitor analysis, product conceptmodel and a swot-analysis.Analysis and conclusions: The conclusion presents possibilities for Blåkläder regardinghow to develop their profile assortment. We believe that product differentiation is one ofthe most important steps in this process. It is critical for Blåkläder to find a unique conceptand to find a main thread through the assortment. The result from our survey shows thatthere is a demand for more fitted profile clothing. Furthermore, companies regardless ofwhat kind of industry they are in can apply differentiation in the work to develop anassortment. / Program: Textil produktutveckling med entreprenörs- och affärsinriktning