The Limits of Local Laws in Global Supply Chains: Extending Governance or Cutting Ties?
Michael Koetter, Melina Ludolph, Hendrik Keilbach, Fabian Woebbeking
Abstract
We exploit an information shock related to the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and use detailed customs data to analyze how smaller, non-listed firms respond when expecting accountability for externalities beyond their organizational boundaries. Product-level regressions reveal a substantial reduction in imports from high ESG-risk production sectors. Adjustments occur mainly at the extensive margin, indicating that firms cut ties with high-risk suppliers. The product-level results translate into meaningful changes in overall international procurement for firms with Big Four auditors. Our findings suggest potential limits to mandates requiring firms to integrate broad sustainability considerations into operational decisions.
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04.09.2025 • 26/2025
Recovery on shaky ground – tariffs dampen growth, but a change in fiscal policy is on the way
In late summer 2025, it is still unclear whether the German economy is on the road to recovery, as it has to cope with the dampening effect of higher US tariffs in the second half of the year. It is not until 2026 that fiscal policy stimulus measures, combined with low key interest rates, will probably lead to an economic upturn. According to the autumn forecast of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), production is then expected to increase by 0.8%, following 0.2% in 2025. Similar rates of expansion are also expected for East Germany. In June, the IWH economists were forecasting growth of 1.1% for 2026 and 0.4% for the current year.
Oliver Holtemöller
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Konjunktur aktuell: Erholung auf schwachen Füßen – Zölle bremsen, fiskalpolitischer Kurswechsel steht bevor
Konjunktur aktuell,
No. 3,
2025
Abstract
Trotz der Handelskonflikte zeigt sich die Weltwirtschaft bislang robust und dürfte weiter in mäßigem Tempo expandieren. Die Weltproduktion steigt im Jahr 2025 um 2,6% und im Jahr darauf um 2,4%. Ob sich die deutsche Wirtschaft auf Erholungskurs befindet, ist weiterhin nicht erkennbar, zumal sie in der zweiten Jahreshälfte den Dämpfer höherer US-Zölle zu verkraften hat. Erst für 2026 stehen die Chancen gut, dass finanzpolitische Impulse zusammen mit niedrigen Leitzinsen eine konjunkturelle Belebung bewirken. Das Bruttoinlandsprodukt dürfte dann um 0,8% zunehmen, nach 0,2% im Jahr 2025.
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Macroeconomic Reports
Macroeconomic Reports Local and global: IWH regularly provides current economic data – be it about the state of the East German economy, the macroeconomic development in Germany…
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Economic Outlook
IWH Autumn Forecast 2026 German Economy on a Recovery Path – Tailwinds from the Global Economy and Fiscal Policy September 3, 2026 An increase in foreign demand has put the German…
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Halle Institute for Economic Research
Rents in Europe’s cities are 23% higher on average than in rural areas The latest European Real Estate Index (EREI) by the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) shows that…
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Jobs at IWH
Vacancies at IWH The Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) – Member of the Leibniz Association was founded in 1992. IWH’s tasks are economic research and science-based…
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Assistant Professor (W1) in Financial Economics
Job Vacancy Assistant Professor (W1) in Financial Economics The Faculty of Economics and Management of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OvGU) in cooperation with the Halle…
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Output
EU Initiative TSI ProdTool 2025-2028 Find all recent project updates, reports, and event details below: IWH-CompNet 2nd ProdTool Workshop › 21-22 OCTOBER, 2026 - BRUSSELS, BELGIUM…
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Policy Output
Reports › CompNet’s flagship and special reports provide in-depth, data-driven analysis on productivity, competitiveness, and related economic trends, using the latest CompNet…
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