Do search frictions in the retail sector cause upstream misallocation?

Project Active from 1 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2026 Firms, Trade and Firm capabilities

This project examines how Zambian retailers' efficiency in sourcing cheaper suppliers impacts resource allocation in upstream sectors. The study aims to quantify the misallocation caused by search frictions in retail and its effects on competition and productivity growth across agricultural and manufacturing firms.

Researchers

Brenda Samaniego de la Parra

University of California- Santa Cruz

Ajay Shenoy

University of California- Santa Cruz

Themes: Firms Trade Firm capabilities
Countries: Zambia

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Do search frictions in the retail sector cause upstream misallocation?

Researchers

Brenda Samaniego de la Parra

Ajay Shenoy

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