Barriers to Internationalization: Firm-Level Evidence from Germany
Claudia M. Buch
IAW Discussion Paper No. 52,
2009
Abstract
Exporters and multinationals are larger and more productive than their domestic
counterparts. In addition to productivity, financial constraints and labor market
constraints might constitute barriers to entry into foreign markets. We present new
empirical evidence on the extensive and intensive margin of exports and FDI based on detailed micro-level data of German firms. Our paper has three main findings. First, in line with earlier literature, we find a positive impact of firm size and productivity on firms’ international activities. Second, small firms suffer more frequently from financial constraints than bigger firms, but financial conditions have no strong effect on internationalization. Third, labor market constraints constitute a more severe barrier to foreign activities than financial constraints. Being covered by collective bargaining particularly impedes international activities.
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Schuldenabbau ja - aber wie?
Ulrich Blum
Wirtschaftsdienst,
No. 9,
2009
Abstract
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Shocks at Large Banks and Banking Sector Distress: The Banking Granular Residual
S. Blank, Claudia M. Buch, Katja Neugebauer
Journal of Financial Stability,
No. 4,
2009
Abstract
Size matters in banking. In this paper, we explore whether shocks originating at large banks affect the probability of distress of smaller banks and thus the stability of the banking system. Our analysis proceeds in two steps. In a first step, we follow Gabaix and construct a measure of idiosyncratic shocks at large banks, the so-called Banking Granular Residual. This measure documents the importance of size effects for the German banking system. In a second step, we incorporate this measure of idiosyncratic shocks at large banks into an integrated stress-testing model for the German banking system following De Graeve et al. (2008). We find that positive shocks at large banks reduce the probability of distress of small banks.
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Industrielle Cluster als Ursache regionaler Prosperität? Zur Konvergenz deutscher Arbeitsmarktregionen 1996-2005
Alexander Kubis, Matthias Brachert, Mirko Titze
Raumforschung und Raumordnung,
/6
2009
Abstract
This paper explores the impact of industrial clusters on regional growth at level of Germany’s functionally defined labour market regions (AMR) within a regional convergence model. It focuses especially on the role of the co-location of vertically connected industrial sectors. Based on works of Schnabl (2000) it is possible to identify three different effects of industrial clusters on regional economic performance. Beside the effect of regionally concentrated economic sectors (horizontal clusters) and value adding chains (vertical clusters) on the region itself, we are able to control for regional spillover effects of industrial clusters. Further the study allows the isolated examination of the impact of industrial cluster while taking regional convergence into consideration. It is possible to demonstrate positive growth effects of industrial clusters along with an overall process of convergence as same as with a specific eastern one. Therefore industrial cluster present an opportunity to explain deficits within the process of East-West-Convergence. Their relative absence of industrial clusters in Eastern Germany influences the growth potential in a negative way.
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Great Moderation at the Firm Level? Unconditional vs. Conditional Output Volatility
Claudia M. Buch, Jörg Döpke, K. Stahn
B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy,
No. 1,
2009
Abstract
We test whether there has been a “Great Moderation“ of output volatility at the firm level. The multifactor residual model proposed by Pesaran (2006) is used to isolate the idiosyncratic component of firms' sales growth from macroeconomic developments. This methodology is applied to a balanced panel of about 1,200 German firms covering a 35-year period (1971-2005). Our research has three main findings. First, unconditional firm-level volatility and aggregate output volatility have seen similar downward trends. Second, conditional, idiosyncratic firm-level volatility does not exhibit a downward trend. Third, there is a positive link between growth and volatility at the firm level.
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Does Export Openness Increase Firm-level Output Volatility?
Claudia M. Buch, Jörg Döpke, H. Strotmann
World Economy,
No. 4,
2009
Abstract
There is a widespread concern that increased trade may lead to increased instability and thus risk at the firm level. Greater export openness can indeed affect firm-level volatility by changing the exposure and the reaction of firms to macroeconomic developments. The net effect is ambiguous from a theoretical point of view. This paper provides firm-level evidence on the link between openness and volatility. Using comprehensive data on more than 21,000 German manufacturing firms for the period 1980–2001, we analyse the evolution of firm-level output volatility and the link between volatility and export openness. Our paper has three main findings. First, firm-level output volatility is significantly higher than the level of aggregate volatility, but it displays similar patterns. Second, increased export openness lowers firm-level output volatility. This effect is primarily driven by variations along the extensive margin, i.e. by the distinction between exporters and non-exporters. Variations along the intensive margin, i.e. the volume of exports, tend to have a dampening impact on volatility as well. Third, small firms are more volatile than large firms.
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Die Identifikation horizontaler und vertikaler industrieller Clusterstrukturen in Deutschland – Ein neues Verfahren und erste empirische Ergebnisse
Mirko Titze, Matthias Brachert, Alexander Kubis
Raumforschung und Raumordnung,
/6
2009
Abstract
. If regional development agencies assume the cluster concept to be an adequate framework to promote regional growth and competitiveness, it is necessary to identify industrial clusters in a comprehensive manner. Previous studies used a diversity of methods starting with specific regional case studies, input-output methods and different concentration measures. This article presents a new instrument in empirical cluster research – the Qualitative Input-Output Analysis –, which offers the possibility to identify industrial cluster in conjunction with concentration measures. Especially, this method allows the combination of an identified critical mass of regional firms with the necessity of interaction of these firms within an input-output framework. Applying this method to Germany’s “Arbeitsmarktregionen” we find that 103 “Arbeitsmarkregionen“ show first signs of horizontal industrial clusters, while only 28 regions are able to attract vertical industrial clusters. 139 “Arbeitsmarktregionen” did not show signs of industrial clusters according to the research design.
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Teil 1: Wirtschaftliche Entwicklung – aktuelle Situation und Trends bis 2030
Dominik Weiß
C. Deilmann, P. Haug (Hrsg.), Demographischer Wandel und technische Infrastruktur: Wer soll die Kosten tragen? Eine Untersuchung am Beispiel ostdeutscher Mittelstädte,
2011
Abstract
Im einleitenden Teil des Bandes “Demographischer Wandel und technische Infrastruktur: Wer soll die Kosten tragen?“ wird die wirtschaftliche Struktur der drei Fallstudien-Städte anhand der Entwicklung und Verteilung der sozialversicherungspflichtig Beschäftigten dargestellt. Es werden weiterhin jeweils zwei Szenarien als mögliche Entwicklungspfade der lokalen Wirtschaft aufgezeigt, woraus sich jedoch keine nennenswerten Erweiterungsnotwendigkeiten für die technische Infrastruktur ergeben.
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Motor für den Aufschwung: Modernisierung der ostdeutschen Infrastruktur
Ulrich Blum
D. Schimpanski, B. Vogel (Hrsg.), Dreißig Thesen zur Deutschen Einheit,
2009
Abstract
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Modernisierung der ostdeutschen Infrastruktur
Ulrich Blum
D. Schimpanski, B. Vogel (Hrsg.), Dreißig Thesen zur Deutschen Einheit,
2009
Abstract
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