This study focuses on the development of new, non-parametric efficiency measures based on the idea of aggregation via merging functions. We use Shephard's (1970) axiomatic approach of distance functions as the basis for theoretical methodology. In particular, this approach is a background for non-parametric efficiency measures defined on a linearly...
This paper presents a model of the determination of excise tax rates by studying the
substantial variation in the state excise taxes in the U.S. brewing industry. Two
approaches are used. First, assuming that the government is only interested in the public
interest, a socially optimal tax rate is derived....
This study provides the model that first synthesizes strategic group
theory with the New Empirical Industrial Organization (NEIO) approach in
the international trade analysis, and uses the annual group data (1953-1988) from the U.S. brewing industry with two strategic groups (national
producers and regional producers) in the presence of growing...
The purpose of this thesis is to provide an estimate of sunk costs in the U.S. brewing industry and analyze the relationships among sunk costs, advertising, and concentration. The estimation procedures involves three steps: (1) estimation of the market value of new and used plant and equipment per barrel of...
This dissertation addresses issues of oligopoly markets where advertising plays a prominent role. The first study empirically investigates the effect of advertising regulations on equilibrium consumption of an addictive commodity using U.S. cigarette industry data. The results of the first study show that the advertising regulations reduced cigarette consumption by...
This dissertation addresses two main issues involving alcohol markets. In the first, we employ both parametric and nonparametric methods to analyze the market structure and estimate the degree of market power in the U.S. brewing industry. In the nonparametric case, we use the variations in the excise tax to test...