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This paper appeared in the Journal of Economic Perspectives in Summer 2001.

Download the Paper (133 K, PDF file) - March 20, 2001 Tell a colleague about it. Printing Tips: Select 'print as image' in the Acrobat print dialog if you have trouble printing.

ABSTRACT:
Commercial publishers charge libraries about 6 times as much per page and 16 times as much per citation as nonprofit journals. The paper presents evidence that successful for profit journals are priced at several times average cost. They are able to earn "monopoly profits" despite free entry into the industry because journal reputation is the result of a kind of coordination game. The paper advocates withholding free referee services from overpriced journals.

SUGGESTED CITATION:
Ted Bergstrom, "Free Labor for Costly Journals " (March 20, 2001). Department of Economics, UCSB. Ted Bergstrom. Paper 2001C.
http://repositories.cdlib.org/ucsbecon/bergstrom/2001C