Information exchange with cost uncertainty: An alternative approach and new results

This paper further develops the standard modelling of information exchange between firms in the presence of cost uncertainty. In order to avoid consistency problems, we replace the normal distribution of the random variables, commonly used because of its convenient mathematical properties, by an alternative one, namely a non-symmetrically distributed random variable with a binomial positive outcome. This leads to new results concerning firms' information-disclosure policy: Confirming the empirical evidence and in contrast to the existing literature, we show that in Cournot markets firms never exchange their private information and in Bertrand markets only for very steep demand functions. --information sharing,cost uncertainty,oligopoly

On the robustness of concealing cost information in oligopoly

Competing firms are usually better informed about their own cost parameters than about those of their rivals. Therefore, it is an important issue to study the incentives of firms to exchange private cost information. We resolve and further generalize an influential model of Raith (1996) and show that, independent of the number of firms, concealing cost information is a dominant firm strategy in heterogeneous Bertrand oligopolies with substitutive as well as with complementary goods.cost uncertainty

Information Asymmetry, Education Signals and the Case of Ethnic and Native Germans

This paper analyses the effects of education signals for Ethnic Germans and Germans without a migration background (“Native Germans”). We base our analysis on a sorting model with productivity enhancing effects of education. We compare whether the signalling value differs between the migrants and non-migrants in the German labour market. Starting from the theoretical result that only a separating equilibrium can exist, we find substantial empirical differences between Ethnic and Native Germans with the same formal education level. This empirical analysis is done with a completely new dataset based on administrative data from the German Federal Employment Agency.sorting theory, human-capital theory, returns to education, migration

Information asymmetry, education signals and the case of Ethnic and Native Germans

"This paper analyses the effects of education signals for Ethnic Germans and Germans without a migration background ('Native Germans'). We base our analysis on a sorting model with productivity enhancing effects of education. We compare whether the signalling value differs between the migrants and non-migrants in the German labour market. Starting from the theoretical result that only a separating equilibrium can exist, we find substantial empirical differences between Ethnic and Native Germans with the same formal education level. This empirical analysis is done with a completely new dataset based on administrative data from the German Federal Employment Agency." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))integrierte Erwerbsbiografien, Bildungsniveau, Bildungsabschluss, Inländer, Aussiedler, Hochqualifizierte, mittlere Qualifikation, Niedrigqualifizierte, Lohnhöhe, Lohnunterschied

Suspended Sediment and Particulate Matter Transport in Mississippi Sound and Bight Assessed with Physical Modeling, Remote Sensing and In Situ Measurements

Tidal passes between Mississippi Sound (MS Sound) and Mississippi Bight (MS Bight) act as a transport pathway for the exchange of estuarine discharge and suspended particulate matter. A better understanding of sediment and particulate matter exchange can provide insights into turbidity, nutrient supply and aquatic ecosystem health for the region. This work examined the effects of different forcing factors (e.g. wind and tides) on the advection of suspended sediments and particulate matter in the study area. Fieldwork included particle size distribution, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and conductivity-temperature-depth measurements in the MS Sound and MS Bight from summer 2015 through summer 2016 with the aim being to characterize the seasonal distribution of suspended sediments and particulate matter. A Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 645-nm suspended particulate matter anomaly (SPMa) expanded the spatial scale of the field measurements and extended the temporal coverage from winter 2014 to fall 2016. The physical and sediment component of a regional numerical model in addition to the ADCP’s echo intensity were calibrated using in situ suspended sediment concentration (SSC), temperature, salinity and particle size data. SSC and SPMa were the final output of the model and remote sensing analysis used to investigate the exchange/transport of suspended sediments and particulate matter from the MS Sound to the MS Bight through the passes. Results provided information on changes in SSC/SPMa and timescales of the exchange. The exchange of coastal waters through the passes and the resulting shoreward advection of high salinity bottom water during a cold front caused increased SSC in MS Bight. The horizontal density gradient between the MS Sound and MS Bight in spring drives particulate matter exchange in the surface water on a time scale of weeks. The results in this study have implications for pollutants transported by suspended sediments and particulate matter in the MS Sound and MS Bight