Title: An empirical analysis of enterprises' behaviours within the Italian car market using technical features and prices

Authors: Antonio Focacci

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, Department of Business Sciences University of Bologna, Piazza Scaravilli, 2 – 40126, Bologna, Italy

Abstract: The main aim of the paper is to propose an analysis involving prices and technical features of cars in order to obtain an empirical model revealing firms| behaviours in the marketplace. Such a type of approach seems justified by the fact that both of these variables (prices and technical specifications) are the uniquely available and fully appraisable information to an external observer/analyst. As a matter of fact, retail prices are directly found in published market lists, while the summa of technical specifications (even if it comes after an appropriated calculation) can be synthesised into a single figure by using data reported within specialised magazines. The results revealed by the retrieved information applying this model can be helpful both for managers and scholars in interpreting market behaviours of major enterprises, considering that both the growing complexity and the increasing international competition among players are the more defining aspects of current markets and related industries.

Keywords: automotive markets; business environment; car industry; flexibility; strategic management; Italy; prices; product features; technical specifications; marketing strategies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2006.010931

International Journal of Business Environment, 2006 Vol.1 No.3, pp.382 - 411

Published online: 18 Sep 2006 *

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