Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP16945
Authors: Roman Inderst; Eftichios Sartzetakis; Anastasios Xepapadeas
Abstract: We analyze firms incentives to coordinate on the introduction of a more sustainable product variant when consumers preferences for greater sustainability depend on the perceived social norm, which in turn is shaped by average consumption behavior. Such preferences lead to multiple equilibria. If the more sustainable variant allows firms to sufficiently expand their aggregate market share, when a lenient legal regime makes this feasible they will coordinate on the more sustainable outcome. If their aggregate market share however does not expand sufficiently under the more sustainable variant, coordination can forestall a more sustainable outcome. Our analysis thus both confrms and qualifies the notion of a sustainability first-mover disadvantage as a justification for an agreement between competitors, which has gained traction in antitrust. We also provide empirical evidence for norm-based sustainability preferences.
Keywords: sustainability; antitrust; firm cooperation
JEL Codes: A13; D11; D22; K21; L11
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Market Share Increase (L19) | Higher Likelihood of Sustainable Product Introduction (L15) |
| Insufficient Market Share Expansion (D49) | Coordination Prevents Sustainable Outcome (E61) |
| Consumer Preferences for Sustainability (D12) | Firms' Strategic Decisions (L21) |
| Social Norms Influence Consumer Preferences (D12) | Influence on Firm Coordination (L14) |
| Firms' Choices Become Strategic Complements (L29) | Sustainability Preferences Are Norm-Based (Q01) |
| Potential for Coordination Among Firms (L19) | More Sustainable or Less Sustainable Outcomes (Q01) |