Upstream, Downstream: Diffusion and Impacts of the Universal Product Code.
We study the adoption, diffusion, and impacts of the Universal Product Code (UPC) between 1975 and 1992, during the initial years of the bar code system. We find evidence of network effects in the diffusion process. Matched-sample difference-in-differences estimates show that firm size and trademark...
| Published in: | Journal of Political Economy Vol. 129; no. 4; pp. 1252 - 1287 |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article |
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University of Chicago Press
Apr2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=149576965&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ssf uiTerm: 149576965 longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 00223808 JPE jtl: Journal of Political Economy issn: 00223808 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Apr2021 vid: 129 iid: 4 pid: 415 pub: University of Chicago Press artinfo: ui: 149576965 10.1086/712762 ppf: 1252 ppct: 35 formats: tig: atl: Upstream, Downstream: Diffusion and Impacts of the Universal Product Code. aug: au: Basker, Emek Simcoe, Timothy affil: US Census Bureau Boston University and National Bureau of Economic Research su: Network effect Product coding Bar codes Trademark application & registration Diffusion processes sug: subj: Network effect Product coding Bar codes Trademark application & registration Diffusion processes ab: We study the adoption, diffusion, and impacts of the Universal Product Code (UPC) between 1975 and 1992, during the initial years of the bar code system. We find evidence of network effects in the diffusion process. Matched-sample difference-in-differences estimates show that firm size and trademark registrations increase following UPC adoption by manufacturers. Industry-level import penetration also increases with domestic UPC adoption. Our findings suggest that bar codes, scanning, and related technologies helped stimulate variety-enhancing product innovation and encourage the growth of international retail supply chains. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: N holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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