CIRJE-F-35. Nishimura, Kiyohiko G. and Lionello F. Punzo, "The Distribution Structure in Three Continents: An Evolutionary Analysis of Italy, Japan and the United States", December 1998.

Relying on internationally comparable input-output tables, the paper compares the cost of distribution services to market prices in Italy, Japan and the United States between 1970 and 1990, for various types of final buyers and for various product groups. While this ratio is shown to be stable over time in the United States, it rises significantly in both Italy and Japan over the last two decades. However, disaggregate rates for product groups reveal significant differences between Italy and Japan.

We present an evolutionary interpretation of this observed behaviour based on the industrial organisation of the distribution system.