We provide a model of planned obsolescence in a competitive market. A feature of the model is that there are configurations where a firm cannot survive in the competitive market unless its product exhibits planned and known obsolescence. This form of obsolescence is complementary to that of...

I analyze and compare the effects of sequential and simultaneous cheap-talk communication (e.g., preannouncement of entry) among privately informed potential entrants who then play a normal-form entry game. The first main result is that cheap-talk communication is powerful enough to enable the...

The effectiveness of cheap talk advice is examined in recurrent relationships between a customer and multiple experts who provide differentiated professional services. The main findings are: (i) Full honesty is not sustainable if the profitability of service provision varies widely across...