Benjamin Shiller

Degrees
University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D.Brandeis University, B.A.
Expertise
Economics of Digitization, Industrial Organization, Applied MicroeconomicsProfile
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Relatively new phenomenon like internet commerce and massive data collection on consumer behavior (Big Data) may induce fundamental changes to the economy. My research goal is to study these changes. Examples of my research include studying whether ad blocking reduces websites investments in content, whether proprietary data collection allows prolonged profitability even in the face of competition, and the impact of personalized pricing, i.e. setting unique prices to different individuals based on their web-browsing behavior. I have also studied how digitizing entertainment products impacts markets, via optimal pricing strategies and by shutting down resale. I incorporate related research directly into my teaching.
Courses Taught
ECON | 80a | Microeconomic Theory |
ECON | 308f | Applied Methods II |
ECON | 399a | Dissertation Workshop |
Scholarship
Shiller, Benjamin R.. "Approximating Purchase Propensities and Reservation Prices from Broad Consumer Tracking." International Economic Review (2020).
Shiller, Benjamin R./Imke Reimers. "The Impacts of Telematics on Competition and Consumer Behavior in Insurance." The Journal of Law and Economics 62. 4 (2019): 613-632.
Shiller, Benjamin / Joel Waldfogel / Johnny Ryan. "The Effect of Ad Blocking on Website Traffic and Quality." Rand Journal of Economics 49. 1 (2018): 43-63.
Shiller, Benjamin R.. "Digital Distribution and the Prohibition of Resale Markets for Information Goods." Quantitative Marketing and Economics (2013).
Shiller, Benjamin R./Joel Waldfogel. "Music for a Song: An Empirical Look at Uniform Song Pricing and Its Alternatives." Journal of Industrial Economics 59. 4 (2011): 630-660.