Economic theory explains how prices are set at a level that equates marginal cost and marginal revenue. On the other hand, marketing theory explains how prices should be set based on value. The problem is that researchers argue that neither of these two theories really explains the pricing practices because empirical studies have concluded that most companies set prices based on cost. However, the empirical studies have not yet examined whether costplus formulas represent either the shape or the essence of pricing. In other words, the empirical studies have not yet provided an in-depth analysis of the circumstances in which cost-plus formulas are shape rather than essence of pricing. It is important to mention that a cost-based essence is found when margin is arbitrary and does not connect cost to other types of information. In attempting to address this issue, the present research was designed with the purpose of investigating shape and essence of pricing in industrial companies located in Brazil. More specifically, the goal of this work was to draw attention to the factors that determine the adoption of a cost-based essence. Data for this study were gathered through a survey carried out between February 2016 and June 2016. A questionnaire was sent to 1,616 industrial companies included on the list of "Melhores e Maiores" Exame Magazine and/or on the list of "Noticiários de Equipamentos Industriais -Top 5" Magazine (2014 and 2015 editions). The total usable responses were 380 representing a 28% response rate. Content, criterion and construct validities were assessed through procedures that included both a threestage pre-test and two investigations for non-response bias. Reliability test resulted in a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.794. Descriptive statistics, correspondence analyses and two ordinal regressions were conducted for purposes of analysis. The findings from this research illustrated: (a) the importance of separating companies into price-takers and price-makers; (b) the price-makers' difficulties in obtaining data about competitors' prices; and (c) the different types of information used in the pricing process. The results also suggested that, for price makers, cost-based essence was positively associated with two predictors (differentiation and perception that prices lower than cost-plus calculations can lead to losses), but it was negatively related to one predictor (premium pricing strategy). For price-takers, cost-based essence was positively associated with three predictors (perception that prices lower than cost-plus calculations can lead to losses, coercive isomorphism and use of full costs), but it was negatively related to five predictors (large size, competitors' ability to copy products, customer's non-willingness to pay, normative isomorphism and experience). Finally, it was concluded that cost-plus may be the shape without being the essence of pricing because margin can connect costs to other types of information. Implications for researchers, practitioners, teachers and students were discussed.