The article discusses a study which examined the effect of fixed-price regulation on cost elasticity and cost asymmetry. The effect of ownership on firms' adjustments to cost elasticity and cost asymmetry in response to price regulation is explored. Aside from examining whether the change in regulation influences cost elasticity, analyses explored the effect of a change in regulation on the asymmetric behavior cost. The data used, provided by the German Federal Statistical Office, consist of a random sample of 70 percent of the entire population of German hospitals for the years 1993-2008. Results emphasizes the necessity to distinguish between upward and downward changes in cost elasticity when examining cost behavior..

ABSTRACT This paper extends prior literature on cost behavior by providing insights into how firms achieve changes to cost structure in response to two important risk drivers, i.e., demand uncertainty and financial risk. Using theory from labor economics, supply-chain management, and finance, we posit that demand uncertainty and financial risk influence cost management activities. Specifically, we argue that firms are likely to alter resource procurement choices to increase cost elasticity in response to these two risk drivers. We use data from California hospitals that allow for the calibration of three distinct resource procurement choices that increase cost elasticity: outsourcing, leasing of equipment, and hiring contract labor. Mediation analysis using 2,202 hospital year observations indicates that both demand uncertainty and financial risk influence cost elasticity. Importantly, these effects are mediated by the three aforementioned resource procurement choices. Overall, our findings support the view that firms make procurement choices to manage the risk associated with cost structures. Data Availability: Data used in this study are publicly available from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (see: http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/). JEL Classifications: I18; M41.