1. About the IWH
  2. Team
  3. Economists

Hendrik Keilbach

Hendrik Keilbach
Current Position

since 7/23

Economist in the Department of Laws, Regulations and Factor Markets

Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) – Member of the Leibniz Association

Research Interests
  • policy evaluation
  • sustainable transformation of the economy

Hendrik Keilbach joined the Department of Laws, Regulations and Factor Markets as a doctoral student in July 2023. His research focuses on policy evaluation and the sustainable transformation of the economy.

Hendrik Keilbach received his bachelor's and his master's degree from University of Mannheim.

Your contact

Hendrik Keilbach
Hendrik Keilbach
- Department Laws, Regulations and Factor Markets
Send Message +49 345 7753-807 LinkedIn profile

Publications

cover_journal-of-development-economics.jpg

The Limits of Local Laws in Global Supply Chains: Cutting Ties or “Edutrading” Procurement Partners?

Hendrik Keilbach Michael Koetter Melina Ludolph Fabian Woebbeking

in: Journal of Development Economics, Vol. 182 (June), 2026

Abstract

We study the procurement patterns of non-listed firms and examine how these often-overlooked, yet pivotal players in global supply chains adjust their sourcing when they anticipate accountability for externalities beyond their organizational boundaries. Using granular customs data and a surprise information release about the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, product-level regressions reveal that importing firms are 3.5 percentage points less likely to source a product from countries where the relevant production sector exhibits elevated ESG-related risks, suggesting that firms tend to cut ties with higher-risk suppliers. The effects are concentrated among firms with well-diversified supplier networks for a product and higher profitability, suggesting they have the necessary flexibility to respond quickly to anticipated regulatory pressure. Our findings suggest that mandates requiring firms to incorporate broad sustainability considerations into their operational decisions may have limits, particularly for non-listed firms.

read publication
Browse all refereed publications
Mitglied der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft LogoTotal-Equality-LogoSupported by the BMWK