Substitution Effect in the Market

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In Treatment 1, the buyer’s consumption decision is expected to be influenced by preference only since the two goods, Coke and Pepsi, sell at the same price. In Treatment 2, more buyers are likely to turn to purchasing Coke, as the price of Pepsi will have gone up, while that of the former will have remained constant. In Treatment 3, more buyers are likely to turn to purchasing Pepsi, as its price will have gone down, while the cost of purchasing a Coke will have remained constant, but relatively higher than that of its substitute product. In conclusion, changes in price of a particular good affect the consumption of its substitute. The study is based on the following research question: Does changes in the price of a particular good affect the consumption of its substitutes? The hypothesis of the study constitutes the researcher’s expectations as regards what the results of the study will be. The hypothesis is as follows: If the price of a particular good goes up, the consumption of its substitute also increases, and if the price goes down, the utilization of its alternate product reduces as well. The experiment will be conducted in the lab and will involve the use of computers to deign it. In the current experiment, the use of a computer is preferred to speed up the processes relating to the experiment to complete it in the shortest time possible. The use of computers will also be suitable as the experiment will involve multiple variables and treatments. The use of computers will also facilitate the design and issuance of the experimental instructions. The experiment will require the participants (subjects) to be grouped together to make the comparison of the results easier. Although the subjects will be grouped together, each... ... middle of paper ... ...increased price of $6 for each unit, while the second one will have 60 units of Coke, going at a constant price of $4. Each buyer will have the same $8 to make a consumption of their choice. In Treatment 3, Seller 1 will stock 60 units, selling each at a reduced price of $2, while Seller 2 will retain the same quantity of Coke and sell it at the same price as in the case with Treatment 2. In the three scenarios, the buyer’s consumption surplus is regarded as the difference between the purchase value and the paid price. The effect of substitution in the market explains the law of demand and the negative gradient that occurs at some point along the curve. If the price goes up, then the substitutes become cheap to purchase, and if the former goes down, then the latter becomes more expensive to buy. This study seeks to establish the effect of substitution in the market.

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