Workplace Equipment and Workplace Gap by Gender in East and West Germany
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Johann Fuchs, Cornelia Lang
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 9,
2006
Abstract
The paper investigates (a) the number and structure of available jobs by gender in East and West Germany, (b) the gap between the supply and demand of jobs by gender in both regions and (c) the reasons for the wider “job gap” in East Germany compared with West Germany. The paper uses data from the Regional National Accounts and the Federal Labor Office. The analysis shows no significant difference in the number of jobs per 1000 persons in working age between East and West Germany. For women, the East German economy offers more jobs. Nevertheless, the gap between labour demand and the supply of jobs is wider in East Germany. This is caused not only by problems concerning the production structure, but also by the significantly higher partizipation rate of women in the labor market. Reasons are the traditional behaviour of East German woman and – compared with West Germany – the considerably lower household income.
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Business services in East Germany - an update
Siegfried Beer
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 8,
2004
Abstract
The article presents the results of the German service sector statistic 2001 for company oriented services in the New Länder (without Berlin), which have been derived from data of the regional statistical offices. The article can be regarded as an update of an earlier version (see “Wirtschaft im Wandel”, 12/2003, p.342-349). Fundamental results are: 1. Compared to 2000, the New Länder’s proportion of Germany’s total revenue and employment in company oriented services has, compared to 2000, slightly increased, but remains rather small. 2. The profitability of East German companies has deteriorated, measured by total expenses per sales unit. Partially this might be due to the increased number of businesses. 3. Last evaluation’s assumption, that East German company’s labor productivity (gross value added per employees) is half of the West German’s, has been proofed in this actual evaluation. An illustration of reasons is not being provided since it has been discussed extensively in the first evaluation.
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Women´s attitudes towards employment and to employment and family
Andrea Besenthal, Cornelia Lang
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 1,
2004
Abstract
In East and West Germany women’s labour participation differs despite extensively harmonised institutional parameters since Reunification. In West Germany the number of working women rose in recent years; In East Germany women’s employment rate fell slightly while still remaining on a rather high level. These regional distinctions can be explained by the different employment patterns in the GDR and former FRG. In addition the varying financial household situations and different supply with child care facilities play a major role.
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Current Trends - High number of commuters takes pressure off East German labor market
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 10,
2002
Abstract
The article describes the increasing gap between persons engaged according to national concept and persons engaged according to domestic concept in East Germany and its impact on the labor market.
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Germany: Cyclical Improvement not Until the End of the Year
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 12,
2001
Abstract
During the second quarter of 2001 German overall production stagnated. Weak global development muddied the economic prospects of firms and prevented them from rising their output and their investment activities. In 2001 gross national product will only increase by 1%; the number of unemployed will be higher than expected. Nevertheless, we advise against an increase in public expenditure that aims at stimulating the economy. Anyhow, growing public deficits, caused by cyclical movements, should be accepted. In order to increase employment labour market reforms become more urgent.
In East Germany, currently even a decline in gross national product cannot be excluded. After the first period of restructuring, which has been accompanied by structural problems, cyclical movements become more important. In addition, economic stagnation burdens labour markets. Nonetheless trying to stimulate the East German economy by government spending programmes does not seem to be a viable strategy. From the cyclical point of view they are not very efficient and concerning structural problems they are no solution.
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The East-West entrepreneurial gap – a crucial economic problem in East Germany?
Gerhard Heimpold
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 9,
2001
Abstract
The ratio of business units per inhabitant is one of the most important factors that determine the development of economies and regions, because it has a strong impact on competition, employment and innovation. In East Germany, where the process of catching up has decelerated since the mid-nineties, the findings on this topic are ambivalent: on the one hand, half a million self-employed persons are counted and a similar number of companies are registered by the regional Chambers of Industry and Commerce. Furthermore, about 157.000 companies engaged in handicraft exist. These figures can be regarded as a success compared to the beginning of the nineties at the outset of systemic transformation. On the other hand, a striking entrepreneurial gap in East Germany still exists compared to the situation in the western part. It seems that this gap will not be closed in the near future, even on the contrary: the number of newly registered business units in East Germany has declined. Against this background, the promotion of entrepreneurship will remain a great challenge on the political agenda.
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Low-paid employment relationships: high numbers, low volume
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2001
Abstract
The labour market situation can be judged using figures of persons engaged and/or of the total number of man-hours worked. Concerning marginal part-time jobs the number of person engaged ist less informative: Although in 2000 more than ten per cent of persons had a marginal part-time job, the total number of man-hours worked representing the marginal part-time jobs amounts to 2,6 % of the volume of work in the economy on the whole. Nevertheless in some branches of economic activity marginal part-time jobs are of great importance.
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