The paradox of China’s tobacco industry: competition through monopoly policy
研究了中国烟草业70年从无序地方贸易到有序全国竞争行业的演变，分析了中央政府通过配额弹性、价格分层和公开排名三个杠杆引导生产者行为，对理解计划经济、产业动态和中国工业发展有参考价值。
Abstract This study documents the evolution of China’s tobacco industry over 70 years from that of unordered local trade to ordered competitive national industry. We develop a theoretical framework regarding three levers the central government utilized—quota pliability, price tiering, and public rankings—to shift the attention of producers from merely fulfilling quotas to seeking quota partners, building scale economies, and developing high quality brands. The findings provide insights to those interested in planned economies, industry dynamics, and China’s industrial development.