Price Changes, Resource Adjustments and Rational Expectations

Kira Hoffmann

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearch

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the accuracy of managerial demand expectations, resource adjustment decisions and selling price changes. In line with rational expectation theory, it is argued that managers adjust resources and selling prices differently in response to expected compared to unexpected demand shocks. The association is tested using the empirical concept of cost stickiness. Cost stickiness arises as a consequence of asymmetric resource or price adjustments. Resource and price adjustments are termed asymmetric if the magnitude of change is different for increases
compared to decreases in activity. Based on a longitudinal dataset of 1,677 private and public companies in Denmark, this paper shows that asymmetric resource adjustments are associated with unforeseen negative demand shocks. Cost stickiness due to asymmetric price adjustments however result from a decrease in prices through managers that anticipated the drop in demand
and proactively lower selling prices and cut resources. Moreover, this study provides evidence for the moderating effect of managerial forecast accuracy on the relationship between demand uncertainty and cost elasticity. Findings show that cost elasticity is higher when a demand decrease is expected among companies with similar exposure to demand uncertainty. Overall, this implies that managerial competences in predicting future demand significantly determines firms’ profitability; especially when demand uncertainty is high or macroeconomic growth is declining.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2016
Number of pages41
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventNordic Accounting Conference 2016 - Copenhagen Business School, København, Denmark
Duration: 17 Nov 201618 Nov 2016
http://www.cbs.dk/en/research/departments-and-centres/department-of-accounting-and-auditing/events/nordic-accounting-conference-17-18-november-2016

Conference

ConferenceNordic Accounting Conference 2016
LocationCopenhagen Business School
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityKøbenhavn
Period17/11/201618/11/2016
Internet address

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