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Ralph Siebert

Ralph Siebert

Professor of Economics
Academic Director of Economics Master's
Economics

Education

Ph.D., Economics, Humboldt University (Berlin)
M.S., Economics, Humboldt University (Berlin)
B.A., Business and Economics, Free University, (Berlin)

CV

Professor Siebert is a Full Professor at Purdue University (Economics Department in the Daniels School of Business). He serves as the Director of the Master's Program in Economics at the Daniels School of Business. In 2023, Prof. Siebert won the PURCE Media Impact Award and the Award for Excellence in Master’s Teaching. From 2022 onward, Prof. Siebert was also named a Purdue University Faculty Scholar and he was awarded with the Purdue Employee Recognition Award. He serves as editorial board member for two top field journals, the Journal of Economics and Management Strategy and the Journal of Real Estate Research. Professor Siebert was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Chicago (Booth School of Business) and a Research Affiliate at Harvard University, Yale University, and CEPR. Prof. Siebert earned numerous Distinguished and Outstanding teaching recognitions. Industry Expertise: Real Estate Market, Ethanol, Pharmaceuticals, Semiconductors.

Professor Siebert is working in the areas of: Industrial Organization (theoretical and empirical), Urban and Real Estate Economics, Health Economics, Innovation, Applied Microeconometrics, Business and Economics, Microeconomics, Law and Economics.

Research, Teaching, and Service Awards:

  • Best Paper Award issued by the American Real Estate Society
  • University Faculty Scholar at Purdue University
  • Faculty Service Award
  • Purdue Employee Recognition Award
  • Best European Young Economist Award in two consecutive years
  • Young Scholar Award
  • VolkswagenStiftung Award
  • BMW Award
  • Social Science Research Center (WZB) Award
  • Multiple awards/recognitions as a Distinguished and Outstanding Teacher

Past Education and (Research) Affiliations:

  • Adjunct Professor at University of Chicago, Booth School of Mgmt., USA.
  • Research Affiliate at Harvard University, Dept. of Economics, USA.
  • Research Affiliate at Yale University, Dept. of Economics, USA.
  • Research Affiliate at CEPR, London, UK.
  • Research Affiliate at Social Science Research Center (WZB) and Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
  • Ph.D.-thesis on "Innovation, Research Joint Ventures, and Multiproduct Competition" (summa cum laude), Supervisor: Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller, Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany.

Most of Professor Siebert's research is grounded in the interface between applied theory and empirical testing, i.e., structural modeling. His research studies often concentrate on market competitiveness, market performance, as well as firm and buyer behavior. His work frequently focuses on policy-relevant topics to provide insights for antitrust and competition policy. One main methodological research characteristic is the adoption of dynamic evaluation approaches.

Professor Siebert is highly recognized scholar with numerous research publications. He published in various top economics journals including (in alphabetical order):  the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Economic Journal, International Journal of Industrial Economics, International Journal of Industrial Organization, Managment Science, Research Polic, Review of Economics and Statistics, Review of Industrial Organization, and Southern Economic Journal, among many others.

Professor Siebert has taught 18 different courses in multiple residential and online programs (including Undergraduate, PhD, MBA, and specialized Master's programs) at several prestigious places. He mentored more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students and supervised numerous undergraduate student research theses and PhD theses.

Professor Siebert's research studies primarily focus on the following topics (in alphabetical order): 

  • Antirust and Competition Policy: Licensing, Market Power, Mergers, Pricing, Research Joint Ventures
  • Auctions: Experiments and Structural Estimation
  • Dynamic Oligopoly Models: Evolution of Market Structure, Firms’ and Market Dynamics
  • Health and Pharmaceutical Markets: Biotech, Drug Pricing, Licensing and Mergers, R&D in Pharmaceuticals
  • Innovation: Product- and Process Innovation, Patenting, New Product Introduction, Adoption of New Technologies
  • Optimal Pricing Strategies: Health and Pharmaceutical Markets, Real Estate Market, Semiconductor Industry
  • Product Market Competition: Multiproduct Competition, Network Effects, Optimal Pricing, Product Differentiation, Price Discrimination
  • Real Estate/Housing Market: Foreclosure, Imperfect Information, Pricing, Airbnb, Hotels, Residential and Commercial Real Estate
  • Professor Siebert was an Adjunct (or occasionally Visiting) Professor Professor at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Toronto, Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany), Center for Economic Studies (Munich, Germany), Social Science Research Institute (WZB, Germany), European School of Management and Technology (Berlin, Germany), and Humboldt-University (Berlin, Germany).

Professor Siebert's work experience with companies, include:
(i) Alfred Teves (Manufacturer, Auto Parts Supplier)
(ii) Mercedes Benz (Manufacturer, Automobiles)
(iii) Obi (Retailer)
(iv) Volkswagen (Manufacturer, Automobiles)

Journal Articles

  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Chinese Investor Wealth Effects Explain U.S. Residential Rental Market Discounts”, with Chuan Lin, Michael J. Seiler, and Liuming Yang, forthcoming." Real Estate Economics
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). ""The Impact of Private Label Introduction on Assortment, Prices, and Profits of Retailers," with Meilin Ma, Journal of Industrial Economics." Journal of Industrial Economics https://doi.org/10.1111/joie.12359.
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“Airbnb or Not Airbnb? That is the Question: How Airbnb Bans Disrupt Rental Markets”, with Michael J. Seiler and Liuming Yang (appeared in the news of Purdue University Research Center of Economics; appeared in the news of Purdue University; interviewed by Fortune)." Real Estate Economics https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6229.12440.
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). ""Exploring the Incremental Merger Value from Multimarket and Technology Arguments", with Sebastian Linde," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Vol. 87 | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). "“The Competitive Effects of Declining Entry Costs over Time: Evidence from the Static Random Access Memory Market” with An-Hsiang Liu," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Vol. 80 | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). "“What Determines Heterogeneous Merger Effects on Competitive Outcomes?”." Journal of Industrial Economics, Vol.70, pp. 217-256 | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). "“Heterogeneous Foreclosure Discounts of Homes”." Journal of Real Estate Research, Vol.44, p.1-28. | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). ""Spatial Differentiation and Market Power in Input Procurement: Evidence from a Structural Model of the Corn Market", with Juan Sesmero and Jinho Jung," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol.104, p.613-644. | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2021). ""Why Do Buyers Pay Different Prices for Comparable Products? A Structural Approach on the Housing Market", with Michael J. Seiler," Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Vol. 65, p.261-292. | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2019). ""The Differential Impact of Subsidies on Product Improvements"." The Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics, Vol. 175, pp. 583-616 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2019). ""Estimating Differential Dynamic Merger Effects on Market Structure and Entry in Related Markets: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry""." Review of Industrial Organization, Vol. 55, pp. 431-458 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2017). ""A Structural Model on the Impact of Prediscovery Licensing and Research Joint Ventures on Innovation and Product Market Efficiency"." International Journal of Industrial Organization, Vol 54, pp. 89-124, (Download Online Appendix Here) | Related Website | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2017). ""Dynamic Impact of Uncertainty on R&D Cooperation Formation and Research Performance: Evidence from the Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry" (with Tannista Banerjee)." Research Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 1255-1271 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2017). ""Firm-Specific Time Preferences and Postmerger Firm Performance" (with Jeremiah Harris)." International Journal of Industrial Organization, Vol. 53, pp. 32-62 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2017). ""The Impact of R&D Cooperations and Mergers in Pharmaceuticals on Research Activities and Drugs Offered on the Market" (with Tannista Banerjee)." Southern Economic Journal, Vol. 84, pp. 202–228 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2015). ""Entering New Markets in the Presence of Competition: Price Discrimination versus Cannibalization"." Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, (Download Online Appendix Here), Vol. 24, pp. 369-389 | Related Website | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2015). ""What Determines Firms' Choices Between Ex Ante and Ex Post Licensing Agreements?"." Journal of Competition Law & Economics, Vol. 11, pp. 165–199 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2011). ""An Experimental Analysis of the Impact of Information Revelation Policies in Sequential Auctions" (with Timothy N. Cason and Karthik Kannan)." Management Science, Vol. 57, pp. 667-688 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2010). ""Learning-by-Doing and Cannibalization Effects at Multi-Vintage Firms: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry"." The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, Advances Tier, Vol. 10, Lead Article, pp. 1-32 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2010). ""Jostling for Advantage or Not: Choosing between Patent Portfolio Races and Ex Ante Licensing" (with Georg von Graevenitz)." Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Vol. 73, pp. 225-24 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2007). ""Market Power versus Efficiency Effects of Mergers and Research Joint Ventures: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry" (with Klaus Gugler)." Review of Economics and Statistics, Vol. 89, pp. 645-659 | Related Website |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2007). ""Why Firms Form (or don't Form) RJVs" (with Lars-Hendrik Roeller and Mihkel Tombak)." Economic Journal, July, Vol. 117, pp. 1122-1144 | Related Website |

Other Publications

  • Siebert, Ralph, WZB Bulletin, Vol. 47, pp. 34-36 ""International Research Joint Ventures"."

Research In Progress

  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“The Spillover Effect of Short-Term Rentals on Local Retail Property Prices: Evidence from Airbnb”, with Chuan Lin, Michael J. Seiler and Liuming Yang, revise and resubmit from Management Science."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). ""The Effect of Bargaining Determinants on Pharmaceutical Prices" with Sebastian Linde and Brandon Norton, revise and resubmit from Journal of Industrial Economics." | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Do Real Estate Contingency Clauses Affect Selling Price and Time-on-the-Market?” with Bruce L. Gordon, Michael J. Seiler, and Daniel T. Winkler. Won the “Best Paper Award” issued by the American Real Estate Society. Revise and resubmit from Journal of Housing Economics."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "Exploring the Heterogeneous Effects of State Price Transparency Laws on Charge Prices, Negotiated Prices, and Operating Costs, with Sebastian Linde. Revise and resubmit from Health Care Management Science." | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Why Do Prices Differ Across Stores? Differential Competition Environments and Their Price Impacts”, with Gordon Klein, under review."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Spatial Competition among Hotels”, with David Genesove and Michael J. Seiler, work in progress."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). ""Essayer Frogfish and the Effect on the Price Discovery Process", with Michael J. Seiler. Under Review."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“On the Relation between Hotels and Airbnb”, with Sumit Agarwal and Michael J. Seiler, work in progress."
  • Siebert, Ralph B (2024). ""Switching Beers? The Effects of Switching Costs on Prices and Profits in Competitive Markets," with Xiaoyang He. Under Review." | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Spatial Competition: Evidence from the Real Estate Market”, with Xiaoyan Zhou, under review."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Prospect Theory and a Two-Way Disposition Effect: Theory and Evidence from the Housing Market”, with Zhaohui Li, Michael J. Seiler, and Hua Sun. Under Review."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“Does the ‘Going Solo’ Relationship Trend have an Effect on the Real Estate Market?” with Sung Joo Kim and Zaiyan Wei, about to submit."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“The Impact of Natural Disasters on Real Estate Markets”, with Michael J. Seiler and Liuming Yang."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“Using Pre- and Post-Entry Data to Identify the Effect of Ethanol Expansion on the Spatial Pattern of Corn Prices, A study in Indiana”, with Juan Sesmero and Jinho Jung about to submit."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“Spatial Success Determinants of Real Estate Agents”, with Michael J. Seiler, Daniel Winkler."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2023). "“The Dynamic Effects of Entry in the Ethanol Market”, with Juan Sesmero and Jinho Jung."
  • Siebert, Ralph ""Dynamic Mergers Effects on R&D Investments and Drug Development across Research Phases in the Pharmaceutical Industry" with Zhili Tian."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“On the Relation between Hotels and Airbnb”, with Sumit Agarwal and Michael J. Seiler, work in progress."

Working Papers

  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“Why Do Prices Differ Across Stores? Differential Competition Environments and Their Price Impacts”, with Gordon Klein, CESifo Working Paper No. 11344."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2024). "“The Measurement of Spatial Competition: Evidence from the Real Estate Market”, with Xiaoyan Zhou, 2024, CESifo Working Paper No. 11380."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). "“Do as Essay, not as I do? How Inflated List Prices of Unsold Essayer Homes Affect the Price Discovery Process”, with Sumit Agarwal, and Michael J. Seiler, 2022, CESifo Working Paper No. 10069."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2022). "“Do Real Estate Contingency Clauses Affect Selling Price and Time-on-the-Market?” with Bruce L. Gordon, Michael J. Seiler, and Daniel T. Winkler. Under Review. Won the “Best Paper Award” issued by the American Real Estate Society." CESifo Working Paper No. 9947
  • Siebert, Ralph (2021). "The Impact of Private Label Introduction on Assortment, Prices, and Profits of Retailers, with Meilin Ma." CESifo Working Paper No. 9380 | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2021). "Exploring the Heterogeneous Effects of State Price Transparency Laws on Charge Prices, Negotiated Prices, and Operating Costs, with Sebastian Linde." CESifo Working Paper No. 9348 | Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2020). ""Why Do Buyers Pay Different Prices for Comparable Products? Evidence from the Housing Market", with Michael J. Seiler, 2020, CESifo Working Paper No. 8337." | Download Download |
  • Siebert, Ralph (2020). ""Dynamic Mergers Effects on R&D Investments and Drug Development across Research Phases in the Pharmaceutical Industry", with Zhili Tian, 2020, CESifo working paper 8303."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2020). ""Spatial Differentiation and Market Power in Input Procurement: Evidence from a Structural Model of the Corn Market", with Jinho Jung and Juan Sesmero, 2020, CESifo Working Paper No. 8088."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2020). "“Dynamic Effects of Licensing and Knowledge Transfer across Research Stages: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry, with Zhili Tian, 2020, CESifo working paper No. 8311."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2019). "“The Effect of Bargaining Power Determinants on Pharmaceutical Prices”, with Sebastian Linde and Brandon Norton, 2019, CESifo Working Paper No. 7988."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2017). "“Heterogeneous Merger Impacts on Competitive Outcomes”, 2017, CESifo Working Paper No. 6607."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2016). "“Do Mergers Among Multimarket Firms Create Value?”, with Sebastian Linde, 2016, CESifo Working Paper No. 6139."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2016). "“The Impact of Horizontal Mergers on Market Structure: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry”, 2016, CESifo Working Paper No. 5911."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2015). "“The Impact of Foreclosure on Housing Prices”, 2015, CESifo Working Paper No. 5196."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2015). "“Driven by the Discount Factor: Impact of Mergers on Market Performance in the Semiconductor Industry”, with Jeremiah Harris, 2015, CESifo Working Paper No. 5199."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2014). "“The Impact of R&D Cooperations on Drug Variety Offered on the Market. Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry”, with Tannista Banerjee, 2014, CESifo Working Paper No. 4567."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2013). "“The Impact of Entry Regulation on Total Welfare: A Policy Experiment”, with An-Hsiang Liu and Christine Zulehner, 2013,CESifo Working Paper No. 4291."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2013). "“The Impact of R&D Cooperation on Drug Variety Offered on the Market: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry”, with Tannista Banerjee, 2013, Auburn Economics Working Paper Series auwp2013-20, Department of Economics, Auburn University."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2013). "“Are Ex Ante and Ex Post Licensing Agreements Useful Instruments to Lessen Uncertainty in R&D?”, with Tannista Banerjee, 2013, CESifo Working Paper No. 4535."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2010). "“Licensing in the Patent Thicket - Timing and Benefits”, with Georg von Graevenitz, 2010, MPRA Paper 24007, University Library of Munich, Germany."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2010). "“An Experimental Study of Information Revelation Policies in Sequential Auctions”, with Timothy N. Cason and Karthik N. Kannan, 2010, Purdue University Economics Working Papers 1235, Purdue University, Department of Economics."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2010). "“Learning-by-Doing and Cannibalization Effects at Multi-Vintage Firms: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry”, 2010, MPRA Paper 24008, University Library of Munich, Germany."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2008). "“Does Licensing Resolve Hold Up in the Patent Thicket?”, with Georg von Graevenitz, 2008, Discussion Papers in Business Administration 2104, University of Munich, Munich School of Management."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2006). "“How Licensing Resolves Hold-Up: Evidence from a Dynamic Panel Data Model with Unobserved Heterogeneity”, with Georg von Graevenitz, 2006, Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 105, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2006). "“Jostling for Advantage: Licensing and Entry into Patent Portfolio Races”, with Georg von Graevenitz, 2006, CEPR Discussion Papers 5753, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2004). "“Market Power versus Efficiency Effects of Mergers and Research Joint Ventures: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry”, with Klaus Gugler, 2004, NBER Working Papers 10323, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2003). "“The Impact of R&D Subsidies on the Introduction of New Products by Incumbent Firms”, 2003, CEPR Discussion Papers 4090, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers."
  • Siebert, Ralph (2003). "“The Introduction of New Product Qualities by Incumbent Firms: Market Proliferation versus Cannibalization”, 2003, CIG Working Papers SP II 2003-11, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Research Unit: Competition and Innovation (CIG)."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“Learning by Doing and Multiproduction Effects over the Life Cycle: Evidence from the Semiconductor Industry”, CIG Working Papers FS IV, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Research Unit: Competition and Innovation (CIG)."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“Testing for Asymmetric Dynamic Oligopoly Models”, with Christine Zulehner, Computing in Economics and Finance, 182, Society for Computational Economics."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“Strategic Choice of Partners: Research Joint Ventures and Market Power”, with Lars-Hendrik Röller, and Mihkel Tombak, CEPR Discussion Papers 2617, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“Multiproduct Firms, Learning by Doing and Price-Cost Margins over the Product Life Cycle: Evidence from the DRAM Industry”, Econometric Society World Congress Contributed Papers 1535, Econometric Society."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“Why Firms Form Research Joint Ventures: Theory and Evidence”, with Lars-Hendrik Röller, and Mihkel Tombak, CEPR Discussion Papers 1654, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers."
  • Siebert, Ralph "“The Impact of Research Joint Ventures on Firm Performance: An Empirical Assessment”, CIG Working Papers FS IV, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Research Unit: Competition and Innovation (CIG)."

Contact

rsiebert@purdue.edu
Office: KCTR 233

Quick links

Personal website

Area(s) of Expertise

Antitrust, Game Theory, Industrial Organization, Managerial Economics, Mergers and Acquisitions, Microeconomics, Real Estate