Markevich, Andreĭ, 1976- and Harrison, Mark, 1949-. (2005) Quality, experience, and monopoly : the Soviet market for weapons under Stalin. Economic History Review, Vol.59 (No.1). pp. 113-142. ISSN 0013-0117

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Abstract

Monopoly is a particular problem in markets where experience goods are traded, since the consumer cannot respond to bad experiences by switching repeat purchases to another supplier. New evidence shows how the defence ministry as buyer in the Soviet market for military goods responded to this problem by investing in an evaluation of quality prior to purchase, by showing reluctance to buy, and by exploiting the available non-market means to influence the defence industry as supplier. The effectiveness of these stratagems was limited by the defence industry's counteractions and because the buyer had no choice but to come to a compromise with the supplier.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions D History General and Old World > DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Weapons industry -- Soviet Union, Monopolies -- Soviet Union, Soviet Union -- Economc policy -- 20th century
Journal or Publication Title:	Economic History Review
Publisher:	Blackwell
ISSN:	0013-0117
Date:	28 February 2005
Volume:	Vol.59
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 113-142
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1468-0289.2005.00334.x
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/216

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