Polen: Solide Erholung wird durch fiskalische Risiken überschattet
Martina Kämpfe
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 12,
2010
Abstract
Expansion of economic activity in Poland in 2009 continued at a markedly lower level compared to previous years, nevertheless Poland was not as hardly affected by the global financial and economic crisis as other countries. The situation of public finances had worsen due to lower economic activity and given the shrinking labour demand unemployment had risen up, but still moderately. In 2010 the economic activity increased markedly, primarily because of the recovery of situation in external trade countries, but deterioration of general government deficit will continue. Without adopted consolidation strategy the fiscal challenges in the medium term will endanger stable economic growth.
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Specialized incubation strategies are on the rise
Michael Schwartz, Christoph Hornych
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 5,
2010
Abstract
For nearly 30 years, business incubators are at the heart of urban technology and innovation policies in Germany. A recent study by the Halle Institute for Economic Research shows that there has been an increasing tendency for establishing specialized incubators that focus their support elements, processes and selection criteria on firms from one specific sector (in most cases knowledge-intensive sectors), and its particular needs. Among the total number of 413 business incubators currently operating in Germany, 94 can be classified as being specialized. Among the German specialized incubators, the vast majority specialize in biotechnology.
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Knowledge Spill-overs for Knowledge-based Development: Progression in Theory and Obstacles for Empirical Research
Peter Franz
International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development,
2010
Abstract
As scientists and policymakers tend to interpret changes in the economy as a trend towards an increasingly knowledge-based economy, their recommendations and strategies for regional economic development frequently contain elements how to intensify the knowledge flows in the region concerned. Knowledge flows come into existence from intentional action, but also in an unintended way as externalities or knowledge spillovers. This paper reviews the ways regional and urban economics has dealt with the concept of knowledge spillovers. Knowledge spillovers are defined within a conceptual framework that points out different uses of knowledge in economics. The concept’s operationalisations in diverse empirical studies are systematised and discussed. After a critical review of the current state of research, policy strategies aiming to intensify knowledge spillovers are classified. The paper concludes with an outlook on promising new approaches to research knowledge spillovers and on the elaboration of more efficient policy strategies.
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Evaluating the German (New Keynesian) Phillips Curve
Rolf Scheufele
North American Journal of Economics and Finance,
2010
Abstract
This paper evaluates the New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) and its hybrid variant within a limited information framework for Germany. The main interest resides in the average frequency of price re-optimization by firms. We use the labor income share as the driving variable and consider a source of real rigidity by allowing for a fixed firm-specific capital stock. A GMM estimation strategy is employed as well as an identification robust method based on the Anderson–Rubin statistic. We find that the German Phillips curve is purely forward-looking. Moreover, our point estimates are consistent with the view that firms re-optimize prices every 2–3 quarters. These estimates seem plausible from an economic point of view. But the uncertainties around these estimates are very large and also consistent with perfect nominal price rigidity, where firms never re-optimize prices. This analysis also offers some explanation as to why previous results for the German NKPC based on GMM differ considerably. First, standard GMM results are very sensitive to the way in which orthogonality conditions are formulated. Further, model mis-specifications may be left undetected by conventional J tests. This analysis points out the need for identification robust methods to get reliable estimates for the NKPC.
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EU 2020 – Impulse für die Post-Lissabonstrategie. Internationale Politikanalyse
S. Gran, B. Hacker, A. P. Jakobi, S. Petzold, Toralf Pusch, P Steinberg
,
2009
Abstract
The Lisbon Strategy was not successful in making the EU the most dynamic and knowledge based economy of the world. A reason for this failure was that it proposed a narrow combination of supply-side reforms and competitive economic policy so that it did not appreciate a balanced policy mix. The follow up “EU 2020” strategy should foremost envisage a different concept of growth with a reference to quality and sustainability. Social productivity in Europe can only be attained if economic integration has the same value as ecologic and social aims. This paper was supplied to the EU Commission hearings of the EU 2020 strategy.
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Poland Weathers the Crisis
Martina Kämpfe
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 12,
2009
Abstract
Expansion of economic activity in Poland in 2009 continued at a markedly lower level compared to previous years, but despite the falling external and domestic demand, economic recession did not happen until now. Early stabilisation measures, supported also by the European Community (EC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), helped to avoid substantial instabilities in the financial sector. It seems that Poland is not as hardly affected by the financial crisis as other countries. Unlike previous years, now net exports were the main driving force for growth – they more than compensated the decrease in domestic demand.
Unemployment had risen up from the lowest level in the last decade, but still moderately due to measures of job security. Given the further shrinking labour demand, unemployment will increase despite modest economic activity. Fiscal policy has to meet challenges under the current economic crises: Excess expenditure and deficiency in receipts will deteriorate general government deficit in 2009 and 2010. Without adopted consolidation strategy, Polish convergence to the Euro area will have to be postponed.
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CO2-Navigator – ein Softwaretool zur Unterstützung von Investitionsoptionen zur Emissionsreduktion und zum Management von Klimarisiken
Edeltraud Günther, G. Weber, M. Nowack, Wilfried Ehrenfeld
Klimaschutz und Anpassung an die Klimafolgen: Strategien, Maßnahmen und Anwendungsbeispiele,
2009
Abstract
Global warming and increased climate policies are associated with risks for many companies, but also with opportunities.The chair of Business Administration, esp. Environmental Management at the TU Dresden and the Halle Institute for Economic Research studied the question of how companies can deal with these challenges funded by the BMBF project “Corporate Management under the Constraints of Climate Change Policy (CO2 Navigator)“.Specific concern of the project network was to provide companies assistance to develop a) potential emission reduction strategies and medium-term adjustments to changing environmental conditions, b) assess the economic impact and c) derive decisions for practical use on this basis.The core elements of the research, risk management and assessment of adaptation strategies with the real option approach and the CO2-Navigator software resulting from the project are described in this article.
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Will there be a shortage of skilled labor? An East German perspective to 2015
Herbert S. Buscher, Eva Dettmann, Marco Sunder, Dirk Trocka
Applied Economics Quarterly Supplement,
2009
Abstract
We analyze the supply and demand of skilled labor in an East German federal state, Thuringia. This state has been facing high unemployment in the course of economic transformation and experiences population aging and shrinking more rapidly than most West European regions. In a first step, we use extrapolation techniques to forecast labor supply and demand for the period from 2009 to 2015, disaggregated by type of qualification. The analysis does not corroborate the notion of an imminent skilled-labor shortage but provides hints for a tightening labor market for skilled workers. In a second step, we ask firms about their appraisal of future recruitment conditions, and both current and planned strategies in the context of personnel management. The majority of firms plans to expand further education efforts and to hire older workers. The study closes with policy recommendations to prevent occupational mismatch.
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New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa – Institutional and Local Perspectives. African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 14
Tobias Knedlik, Karl Wohlmuth, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Mareike Meyn, T. (eds) Urban, Afeikhena Jerome
,
2009
Abstract
The Volume XIV analyses the “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa“. Institutional issues and perspectives in designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in various case studies (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania). Other studies deal with institutional problems of resource-rich countries after conflict (Sudan) and with the institutions to enhance environmental protection parallel to economic growth and poverty reduction (Niger). Further studies deal with institutions to bridge the gap between formal and informal entrepreneurial sectors in Kenya and Tanzania. Local issues and perspectives for designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in case studies on rural-urban development gaps in Tanzania and on microfinance as an instrument for new growth and poverty alleviation strategies (Tanzania and Eritrea). A study on small farmers in Ghana provides information on the role they can play in value chains. Two studies on Nigeria highlight the local and the sub-regional health and poverty alleviation programmes and the relation to growth. Book reviews and book notes on the theme are part of the volume. This volume builds the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of policy reforms in Africa so as to integrate new growth and poverty alleviation strategies. Complementary to Volume XIV is Volume XIII on “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - Interational and Regional Perspectives“. Both volumes are of importance for all those who work in African countries as officials, executives, managers, researchers, and policy-makers, but also for all those who actively support Africa's development concerns at the international, regional, country, local, and project levels. They will experience this Volume XIV and also the complementary Volume XIII as indispensable sources of insight, reference, and inspiration.
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