Nonlinear Pricing with Underutilization: A Theory of Multi-part Tariffs
American Economic Review
vol. 113,
no. 3, March 2023
(pp. 836-60)
Abstract
We study the nonlinear pricing of goods whose usage generates revenue for the seller and of which buyers can freely dispose. The optimal price schedule is a multi-part tariff, featuring tiers within which buyers pay a marginal price of zero. We apply our model to digital goods, for which advertising, data generation, and network effects make usage valuable, but monitoring legitimate usage is infeasible. Our results rationalize common pricing schemes including free products, free trials, and unlimited subscriptions. The possibility of free disposal harms producer and consumer welfare and makes both less sensitive to changes in usage-based revenue and demand.Citation
Corrao, Roberto, Joel P. Flynn, and Karthik A. Sastry. 2023. "Nonlinear Pricing with Underutilization: A Theory of Multi-part Tariffs." American Economic Review, 113 (3): 836-60. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20220199Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D11 Consumer Economics: Theory
- D21 Firm Behavior: Theory
- D42 Market Structure, Pricing, and Design: Monopoly
- L86 Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
- M37 Advertising