Region-specific norms of behavior are a widespread phenomenon. In the case of medical practice, numerous studies have found that geographic location exerts an inordinate influence on the choice of treatments and procedures. This paper shows how the presence of social influence on treatment...

This paper relates the diffusion of the coronary stent to the presence of prominent or “star” physicians within a local peer group. The paper uses panel data on coronary care in Florida covering the period immediately following the 1995 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the...

This article examines the premise that television broadcasters are able to exercise substantial market power deriving from governmental restrictions on entry. Using a new sample of actual transactions prices, we estimate a hedonic equation identifying product quality components of advertising...

Recently, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice have imposed detailed regulatory schemes governing the contractual relationship between the commercial television networks and program suppliers. This article provides empirical evidence on the determinants of program...

Parties to a lawsuit will frequently delay litigation, even in circumstances where a voluntary agreement is eventually reached. This article is concerned with what causes legal disputes to be prolonged over time. We discuss dynamic models of litigation to illustrate how changes in the bargaining...

Location-specific norms of behavior are a widespread phenomenon. In the case of medical practice, numerous studies have found that geographic location exerts a strong influence on the choice of treatments and procedures. This paper shows how the presence of social influence on treatment...

Hospitals expend considerable resources each year to provide health care to the poor. Why do some hospitals voluntarily take on a disproportionate burden of this care? Our view is that the burdened hospitals are not simply altruistic. They are indirectly compensated for this expense with legal...