Microeconometric Evaluation of Selected ESF-funded ALMP-Programmes
Eva Reinowski, Birgit Schultz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 17,
2006
Abstract
The study evaluates different ESF-funded labour market programmes by comparing the labour market status at different points in time after the treatment. In order to solve the selection problem we employ a standard matching algorithm with a multi-dimensional distance measure. The effects of the analyzed programmes (wage subsidies, start-up subsidies and qualification measures for recipients of social welfare) are very heterogeneous. It can be observed that the direct integration into the regular labour market provides an advantage for the supported individuals. Its lasting effects, however, strongly depend on the group of persons being supported, the type of treatment and the employers’ financial share.
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Progressivity and flexibility in developing an effective competition regime: using experiences of Poland, Ukraine and South Africa for developing countries. Forschungsbericht innerhalb des EU-Projektes: Competition Policy Foundations for Trade Reform, Regulatory Reform, and Sustainable Development, 2005
Franz Kronthaler, Johannes Stephan
One-off Publications,
No. 5,
2005
Abstract
The paper discusses the role of the concept of special and differential treatment in the framework of regional trade agreements for the development of a competition regime. After a discussion of the main characteristics and possible shortfalls of those concepts, three case countries are assessed in terms of their experience with progressivity, flexibility, and technical and financial assistance: Poland was led to align its competition laws to match the model of the EU. The Ukraine opted voluntarily for the European model, this despite its intense integration mainly with Russia. South Africa, a developing country that emerged from a highly segregated social fabric and an economy dominated by large conglomerates with concentrated ownership. All three countries enacted (or comprehensively reformed) their competition laws in an attempt to face the challenges of economic integration and catch up development on the one hand and particular social problems on the other. Hence, their experience may be pivotal for a variety of different developing countries who are in negotiations to include competition issues in regional trade agreements. The results suggest that the design of such competition issues have to reflect country-particularities to achieve an efficient competition regime.
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Progressivity and Flexibility in Developing an Effective Competition Regime: Using Experiences of Poland, Ukraine, and South Africa for developing countries
Franz Kronthaler, Johannes Stephan
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 6,
2006
Abstract
The paper discusses the role of the concept of special and differential treatment in the framework of regional trade agreements for the development of a competition regime. After a discussion of the main characteristics and possible shortfalls of those concepts, three case countries are assessed in terms of their experience with progressivity, flexibility, and technical and financial assistance: Poland was led to align its competition laws to match the model of the EU. The Ukraine opted voluntarily for the European model, this despite its intense integration mainly with Russia. South Africa, a developing country that emerged from a highly segregated social fabric and an economy dominated by large conglomerates with concentrated ownership. All three countries enacted (or comprehensively reformed) their competition laws in an attempt to face the challenges of economic integration and catch up development on the one hand and particular social problems on the other. Hence, their experience may be pivotal for a variety of different developing countries who are in negotiations to include competition issues in regional trade agreements. The results suggest that the design of such competition issues have to reflect country-particularities to achieve an efficient competition regime.
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Effects of the promotion of investment in East Germany
Joachim Ragnitz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 186,
2003
Abstract
Investment in East Germany is heavily subsidized. Econometric estimates based on a treatment approach show that the level of investment is significantly higher in firms being supported by state aid. Nevertheless, capital productivity is lower in East Germany, indicating a misallocation of capital. Additionally, there are negative effects in West Germany due to negative crowding-out effects. Therefore state aid in East Germany should be reduced in the medium run.
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Employment chances deteriorate upon participation in job creating and structural adjustment schemes - Or are there exceptions?
Eva Reinowski, Birgit Schultz, Jürgen Wiemers
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2003
Abstract
In this paper we present the evaluation of the participation effect of Job Creation Schemes (ABM) and Structural Adjustment Schemes(SAM) on unemployment probability. The focus is on special groups which differ in individual characteristics. We found a strong negative treatment effect with gradual differences between separate groups.
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Efficiency of qualification and job creating measures in East Germany
Annette Bergemann, Birgit Schultz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 9,
2000
Abstract
This paper evaluates job creation schemes and further training in East Germany for the period 1990-1998. We identify the causal effect of the treatment-on-the-treated by a two-step procedure: First, we apply the matching technique based on estimated propensity scores. Secondly, we use the Difference-in-Differences estimator. Hereby, we take especially consideration on Ashenfelter s Dip, which characterize a significant decrease in the participants employment shortly before the start of a program. This can be assumed to be related to the anticipation of the participation.
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Reduction of transfer payments to East Germany: Contractive effects only in the short term
Joachim Ragnitz, Christian Dreger
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
2000
Abstract
By applying a macroeconometric model, the effects of a substantial reduction of transfers for the New Laender are studied. It is argued that in the short run convergence will be hampered severely if transfers are reduced abruptly; however, in the long the negative effects on the East German economy can be ignored.
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