Quality aspects in price indices and international comparisons:applications of the hedonic method

Abstract

The main topic of this thesis has been the quality issue in price comparisons through time and across space. In studying this topic, this thesis has tried to answer the following questions: first, what is the impact of differences in quality on intertemporal and international price comparisons? Second, what are the theoretical and practical advantages and drawbacks of the hedonic method compared to the matched model method to deal with this 'quality issue'? Below, I briefly summarize the main conclusions from the preceding chapters. I will provide an assessment of how quality issues will affect the future of price measurement practice and the use of hedonics, and discuss the implications for measurement practices in construction of time series price indices and currency conversion factors. ... Zie: Summary