We analyze a firm's optimal communication strategy for setting consumer expectations when consumers are uncertain about product quality and word of mouth is prevalent in the market. We derive three main results: [i] Extant signaling theory argues that advertising should be costly for it to be...

Firms invest significantly in advertising with the intent of influencing consumers favorably towards their goods. Along with advertising, word of mouth also plays an important role in shaping consumer opinion about a firm's goods. In many contexts, word of mouth is affected by behaviors such as...

Abstract Staffing decisions typically account for a large portion of a retailer's operational costs. The effectiveness of these decisions has often been analyzed by relating staffing levels to revenues. However, such approach does not explicitly consider the mechanisms by which the staff can...