In which Ways do Universities React to New Technologies? The Case of Photovoltaics
Peter Franz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 12,
2008
Abstract
Universities can be conceived as actors in regional innovative systems with the functions to make available new knowledge for a region, to contribute to the human capital formation by teaching, and to the extension of the knowledge by research. These functions are in particular important concerning the adaptation of new technologies, e.g. photovoltaics. 89 German universities – amongst them 65 universities of applied sciences – meanwhile offer 171 full-time study courses with a degree oriented to photovoltaics. Each federal state has at least one university location offering such degrees. A certain spatial concentration of courses can be shown for Saxony, for the Ruhr Area and for the Rhine Main Region. Almost 90% of the degrees are offered by faculties of engineering. 43% of the universities with degrees in photovoltaics have successfully applied for research grants from the photovoltaics research programs of the federal government. These numbers show a spatial concentration of research in the South whereas the photovoltaics industry is concentrated in the East of Germany. This distribution indicates that the research opportunities tied to the photovoltaics industry are not in the Eastern part of Germany. Further research will have to pay more attention to the role of research institutes.
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Muster der Einwohnerschrumpfung in bundesdeutschen Städten zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts
Peter Franz
Schrumpfende Städte. Ein Phänomen zwischen Antike und Moderne (Institut für vergleichende Städtegeschichte, Reihe Städteforschung, Bd. 76),
2008
Abstract
The article analyzes the trends of shrinking and growing population in the German cities since 1990. After presenting diverse data on the level of the cities and the city regions, the small scale population change within cities is exemplified by the case of the city of Halle in Saxony-Anhalt. Several models and theories are checked if they can explain the phenomenon of shrinking cities. The article closes with a preliminary resume.
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Using multivariate statistical methods to identify municipality clusters
Dirk Trocka
Теоретические основы и опыт стратегическ,
2008
Abstract
The monthly calculation of the Consumer Price Index is based on a sample survey in different municipalities. This study intends to evaluate and improve the representativity of the municipalities within the sample in Saxony-Anhalt with respect to their number and type applying multivariate analysis. The analysis uses variables representing both demand and supply conditions in the municipalities that determine market outcomes. It also considers the importance of a municipality for the neighbouring area.
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Suburban Municipalities on Trial – Analysing the Sustainability of Socioeconomic Structures at the Example of the Municipality Schkopau
Sabine Döhler, Alexander Kubis
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
2008
Abstract
This article analyses socio-economic criteria of municipalities next to large cities. In a case study, we examine the municipality Schkopau in the south of Saxony-Anhalt. We ask if the fusion of smaller communes to this “new” municipality created in 2004 was rational in terms of sustainable socio-economic structures. Hence, we use the criteria of satellite towns developed by Boustedt.
We show that the criterion of political independence is assured by law. Meanwhile, the criteria independence of culture and urban development are not completely fulfilled. Due to the high density of industrial enterprises, the municipality has high tax revenue and therefore a strong financial basis. Also, the criterion of the minimum population figure is implemented.
Based on the specific results of the satellite town criteria, we could not find definite results for the municipality Schkopau, they are rather ambivalent. This result is partly caused by the strong interactions within the functional area of the provinces Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Due to the high dynamic of the structural change, we also point out the necessity to enhance the criteria for sustainable socio-economic structures of local and regional municipalities.
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Urban Renewal in Saxony: A Need for a more Problem-orientated Allocation of Subsidies!
Claus Michelsen
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 2,
2008
Abstract
Currently, the political discussion of urban renewal in East Germany focuses more and more on new strategies to solve the problems of urban decline and vacancies on the housing market. Since 2001, the demolition of housing has been subsidized with approximately one billion Euros. Critics of this strategy argue that the continuation of demolition leads to a fragmentation of cities and a loss of urban functions. Therefore, they suggest to focus more on revitalization of residential quarters and to allocate more subsidies to improve neighbourhoods as well as residential amenities to lower housing vacancies.
This article argues that on the one hand, the overall housing vacancy-rates cannot be lowered with the current instruments of urban revitalization. Even though, there is a chance to attract citizens from the periphery of cities. This means to redistribute housing vacancies instead of an overall reduction. On the other hand, this strategy needs to be clearly focused on selected cities in which a potential of immigration exists. However, empirical results from Saxony suggest a different picture: The allocation of subsidies for urban revitalization shows no identifiable pattern. Therefore, the author proposes to refocus the policy of urban redevelopment.
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Is a Centralisation of Local Governmental Structures an Appropriate Way to Ensure an Efficient Provision of Local Public Services? Findings from Case Studies in the State of Saxony-Anhalt
Gerhard Heimpold, Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 1,
2008
Abstract
Choosing the appropriate organisational model for local government (i. e. centralised vs. federal model) forms an essential challenge for local communities. Against the background of Fiscal Federalism, a trade-off between the two models mentioned can be expected: Though the centralised model may bring up economies of scale and scope, the federal form of local government may have advantages, too, for instance regarding the extent of civil participation. The article has the intention to answer the question how the degree of centralisation/decentralisation of local governmental organisation affects the provision of services of public interest. The article is based on case studies conducted in ten municipalities located in the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The government of Saxony-Anhalt intends to implement a reform project targeted at the modernisation of local governmental organisation. The basic reform idea is to transform the local governmental structures from a situation (at the beginning of 2008) where a co-existence of centralised and federally organised municipalities is given towards a future situation where the centralised model should be dominating. In line with the expectation derived from theory, the empirical findings do not draw a picture, which is unequivocally in favour either of the centralised or of the federal model. However, the reform of modernisation of local governmental organisation should remain on the agenda, especially due to a shrinking population in the rural parts of Saxony-Anhalt. This could support the state government’s plans of a more centralized organisation of local government. But this would mean to give up the advantages of the existing federal model of local government. Therefore, in addition to the centralised model favoured by the state government, politicians in Saxony-Anhalt should look for the possibility of an alternative “third” model, which tries to combine the advantages of economies of scale with a greater degree of civil participation.
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Reform of Local Municipal Structures: Centralization not only Implicates Advantages
Peter Haug, Claus Michelsen
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 11,
2007
Abstract
The question whether centralized or decentralized municipal structures are more efficient has been discussed, not only in Germany, for a long time primarily under aspects of law and administrative sciences. In this article, we use an economic approach instead. The prevailing theories on interjurisdictional competition are not conclusive about the cost and welfare effects of centralization. Therefore, using the example of Saxony-Anhalt we investigate empirically if there are any significant differences in expenses or personnel between more centralized municipal governance forms (“Einheitsgemeinden”) or rather decentralized forms (“Verwaltungsgemeinschaften”). Our cross-section analysis for selected municipal activities reveals that both types are very similar in their cost and manning structures. Significant differences can be explained rather by different population densities than by the organizational structure. Considering these results we do not recommend a forced amalgamation of the municipalities in Saxony-Anhalt. Especially, if frustration cost or the political transaction cost, which both rise with centralization, are taken into account.
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Structural Policy in East Germany – A Discussion about the Common Task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structure“
Mirko Titze
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 10,
2007
Abstract
After the reunification – more than ten years ago – the convergence process in the eastern German regions has started. Unfortunately, the convergence process has decelerated since 1995. For this reason, economists and politicians are discussing the kind of government aid, which has been applied since the early nineties. The paper deals with the Common Task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structure“ (Gemeinschaftsaufgabe “Verbesserung der regionalen Wirtschaftsstruktur“). It is one of the most important instruments for the “Reconstruction East“. Empirical studies have shown that this instrument has led to an additional growth impulse. However, for the last ten years the budget of the Common Task has decreased. Under the restriction of scarce financial resources the governments of the federal states have to adjust their regional programmes. Economists and politicians dispute to change unselective into selective (regional and sectoral) government aid. The article shows that in particular the Federal State of Brandenburg as well as the Free State of Saxony are focusing the Common Task on specific industrial sectors and certain regions.
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Spatial Distribution of East German Innovative Competencies: Significant Increase in the Southwestern Hinterland of Berlin and in the Centres of Saxony and Thuringia
Peter Franz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 9,
2007
Abstract
Patent applications constitute an essential indicator for the extent of innovative activities in an economy or region. Due to the fact that innovative activities are in general spatially concentrated, policy makers perceive in this information starting points for a growth-oriented regional policy. Against this background, the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) in 2004 had examined the spatial distribution of industries, firm networks and innovative competencies in the context of an area-wide study for East Germany. Newly available data for the patent statistics allow for an updating of these results regarding the innovative competencies for the time period from 2000 to 2005. In comparison to the time period between 1995 and 2000, an increase in innovative competencies becomes evident. This growth takes place almost exclusively in regions where innovative competencies are already domiciled. All in all, the growth dynamics of East Germany with regard to patent applications is slightly behind the West German one. The distribution of technological fields, to which the applied patents refer to, remained largely constant during the two observation periods. In the area of bio-technology, electrical engineering and of health care the standing of East Germany has further improved. With regard to political implications, the data should not be used for imposing technology specific support programs. Instead a tax relief for R&D independent of the used technologies seems to be more adequate.
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Urban Consolidation in Saxony a Thread for the Historic Districts?
Dominik Weiß
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 8,
2007
Abstract
Different lobby groups that fear a discrimination of the old and historic housing stock with its cultural value recently challenged the success of the urban renewal program „Stadtumbau Ost“. To make the discussion about it more objective, the subsidies for deconstruction and for improvement of the program are examined for the Free State of Saxony. The descriptive empirical analysis shows that the deconstruction of old houses mainly took place in cities with a higher share of old houses. Insofar, the danger of a total loss of the old housing stock may be low. Considering the allocation of the improvement subsidies, it can be shown that areas with old housing do profit relatively more, but not so often like the prefabricated socialist residential areas of the former GDR. The development of the historic housing stock, an explicit goal of the program “Stadtumbau Ost”, has been carried out in a minor degree in favour to the goal of housing market-adjustment.
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