Online ISSN 2286-0266
Print ISSN 1223-0685
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Gheorghe MILITARU
Universitatea Politehnică din Bucureşti
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinctive characteristics of the competitive mechanism in the digital economy and information product markets. Specific properties of digital goods and information markets are considered. We review evidence that Internet markets are more efficient than conventional markets with respect to price levels, menu costs, and price elasticity. However, several studies find substantial and persistent dispersion in prices on the Internet. This price dispersion may be explained, in part, by heterogeneity in retailer-specific factors such as trust and awareness. In addition, we note that Internet markets are still in an early stage of development and may change dramatically in the coming years with the development of cross-channel sales strategies, infomediaries and shop bots, and improved supply chain management.

ŒCONOMICA no. 2/2006
Keywords: digital economy, internet markets, dispersion price, awareness, infomediaries, e-loyalty, digital product, value chain
JEL: D40, L86, E39
Structura pieţelor şi concurenţa în economia digitală