Evolving Structural Patterns in the Enlarging European Division of Labour: Sectoral and Branch Specialisation and the Potentials for Closing the Productivity Gap
Johannes Stephan
IWH-Sonderhefte,
Nr. 5,
2003
Abstract
This report summarises the results generated in empirical analysis within a larger EU 5th FP RTD-project on the determinants of productivity gaps between the current EU-15 and accession states in Central East Europe. The focus of research in this part of the project is on sectoral specialisation patterns emerging as a result of intensifying integration between the current EU and a selection of six newly acceding economies, namely Estonia, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Slovenia. The research-leading question is concerned with the role played by the respective specialisation patterns for (i) the explanation of observed productivity gaps and for (ii) the projection of future potentials of productivity growth in Central East Europe.
For the aggregated level, analysis determines the share of national productivity gaps accountable to acceding countries’ particular sectoral patterns, and their role for aggregate productivity growth: in Poland, the Slovak Republic and Hungary, sectoral shares of national productivity gaps are considerable and might evolve into a ‘barrier’ to productivity catch-up.Moreover, past productivity growth was dominated by a downward adjustment in employment rather than structural change. With the industrial sector of manufacturing having been identified as the main source of national productivity gaps and growth, the subsequent analysis focuses on the role of industrial specialisation patterns and develops an empirical model to project future productivity growth potentials. Each chapter closes with some policy conclusions.
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Stellung und Perspektiven Sachsen-Anhalts in der New Economy
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Joachim Ragnitz, Rupert Kawka, Walter Komar
IWH-Sonderhefte,
Nr. 6,
2003
Abstract
Der technische Fortschritt zählt zu den zentralen Determinanten des wirtschaftlichen Wachstums. Regionen, in denen viel Forschung und Entwicklung betrieben wird, haben daher eine bessere Ausgangsposition im Standortwettbewerb als solche, wo dies in nur geringerem Maß geschieht. Eine besondere Hoffnung gilt dabei den Hochtechnologiebranchen und nicht zuletzt dem hier untersuchten Informations- und Kommunikationssektor sowie dem Biotechnologiesektor. Diese beiden Bereiche bilden einen wesentlichen Teilbestand der so genannten New Economy. Die Vergangenheit hat gezeigt, dass die New Economy nicht von Krisen verschont bleibt, und so ist ein realistischeres Bild von den Chancen, die diese Hochtechnologien bieten können, entstanden. Dennoch besteht die berechtigte Hoffnung, dass die beiden genannten Branchen weiterhin einen weitreichenden Einfluss auch auf andere Wirtschaftssektoren ausüben, indem sie so genannte Schlüssel- oder Querschnittstechnologien entwickeln und anbieten.
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The Appropriateness of the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure for Central and Eastern European Countries
Martina Kämpfe, Tobias Knedlik
IWH Discussion Papers,
Nr. 16,
2017
Abstract
The experience of Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) during the global financial crisis and in the resulting European debt crises has been largely different from that of other European countries. This paper looks at the specifics of the CEEC in recent history and focuses in particular on the appropriateness of the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure for this group of countries. In doing so, the macroeconomic situation in the CEEC is highlighted and macroeconomic problems faced by these countries are extracted. The findings are compared to the results of the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure of the European Commission. It is shown that while the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure correctly identifies some of the problems, it understates or overstates other problems. This is due to the specific construction of the broadened surveillance procedure, which largely disregarded the specifics of catching-up economies.
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On the Risk of a Sovereign Debt Crisis in Italy
Oliver Holtemöller, Tobias Knedlik, Axel Lindner
Intereconomics,
Nr. 6,
2018
Abstract
The intention for the Italian government to stimulate business activity via large increases in government spending is not in line with the stabilisation of the public debt ratio. Instead, if such policy were implemented, the risk of a sovereign debt crisis would be high. In this article, we analyse the capacity of the Italian economy to shoulder sovereign debt under different scenarios. We conclude that focusing on growth enhancing structural reforms, would allow for moderate increases in public expenditure.
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Do Diasporas Affect Regional Knowledge Transfer within Host Countries? A Panel Analysis of German R&D Collaborations
Lutz Schneider, Alexander Kubis, Mirko Titze
Regional Studies,
Nr. 1,
2019
Abstract
Interactive regional learning involving various actors is considered a precondition for successful innovations and, hence, for regional development. Diasporas as non-native ethnic groups are regarded as beneficial since they enrich the creative class by broadening the cultural base and introducing new routines. Using data on research and development (R&D) collaboration projects, the analysis provides tentative evidence that the size of diasporas positively affects the region’s share of outward R&D linkages enabling the exchange of knowledge. The empirical analysis further confirms that these interactions mainly occur between regions hosting the same diasporas, pointing to a positive effect of ethnic proximity rather than ethnic diversity.
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Interactions Between Regulatory and Corporate Taxes: How Is Bank Leverage Affected?
Franziska Bremus, Kirsten Schmidt, Lena Tonzer
Abstract
Regulatory bank levies set incentives for banks to reduce leverage. At the same time, corporate income taxation makes funding through debt more attractive. In this paper, we explore how regulatory levies affect bank capital structure, depending on corporate income taxation. Based on bank balance sheet data from 2006 to 2014 for a panel of EU-banks, our analysis yields three main results: The introduction of bank levies leads to lower leverage as liabilities become more expensive. This effect is weaker the more elevated corporate income taxes are. In countries charging very high corporate income taxes, the incentives of bank levies to reduce leverage turn ineffective. Thus, bank levies can counteract the debt bias of taxation only partially.
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Interactions between Bank Levies and Corporate Taxes: How is the Bank Leverage Affected?
Franziska Bremus, Kirsten Schmidt, Lena Tonzer
Abstract
Regulatory bank levies set incentives for banks to reduce leverage. At the same time, corporate income taxation makes funding through debt more attractive. In this paper, we explore how regulatory levies affect bank capital structure, depending on corporate income taxation. Based on bank balance sheet data from 2006 to 2014 for a panel of EU-banks, our analysis yields three main results: The introduction of bank levies leads to lower leverage as liabilities become more expensive. This effect is weaker the more elevated corporate income taxes are. In countries charging very high corporate income taxes, the incentives of bank levies to reduce leverage turn ineffective. Thus, bank levies can counteract the debt bias of taxation only partially.
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Do Conventional Monetary Policy Instruments Matter in Unconventional Times?
Manuel Buchholz, Kirsten Schmidt, Lena Tonzer
Abstract
This paper investigates how declines in the deposit facility rate set by the European Central Bank (ECB) affect bank behavior. The ECB aims to reduce banks’ incentives to hold reserves at the central bank and thus to encourage loan supply. However, given depressed margins in a low interest environment, banks might reallocate their liquidity toward more profitable liquid assets other than traditional loans. Our analysis is based on a sample of euro area banks for the period from 2009 to 2014. Three key findings arise. First, banks reduce their reserve holdings following declines in the deposit facility rate. Second, this effect is heterogeneous across banks depending on their business model. Banks with a more interest-sensitive business model are more responsive to changes in the deposit facility rate. Third, there is evidence of a reallocation of liquidity toward loans but not toward other liquid assets. This result is most pronounced for non-GIIPS countries of the euro area.
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Mindestlohnbeschäftigte: Dienstleister für den privaten Konsum oder Teilhaber am Exporterfolg? Ergebnisse einer Input-Output-Analyse
Hans-Ulrich Brautzsch, Birgit Schultz
Wirtschaftsdienst,
Nr. 1,
2019
Abstract
Im Jahr 2014 waren mehr als 38 Mio. Personen in Deutschland als Arbeitnehmer beschäftigt. Sie produzierten vor allem Güter für den Konsum, für Investitionen in Ausrüstungen und Bauten sowie den Export, aber auch Vorleistungsgüter, die als Bestandteil der Wertschöpfungsketten indirekt in deren Entstehung eingingen. Hier ist wirtschafts- und lohnpolitisch interessant, in welchen quantitativen Verhältnissen der Einsatz der Beschäftigten in der Vorleistungsgüterproduktion zur Endverwendung im Wirtschaftskreislauf steht. Dieses Interesse richtet sich nicht nur auf die Personenzahl, sondern im Besonderen auch auf deren Entlohnung. Ein Augenmerk liegt dabei bei den Beschäftigten, deren Löhne 2014 dem Mindestlohn 2015 (8,50 Euro) entsprachen.
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Materialdatei zur IWH-Studie: Wirtschaftliche Perspektiven für Leipzig: Wachstumspotentiale im Städtevergleich und mögliche Entwicklungsstrategien
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Peter Franz, Peter Haug, Gerhard Heimpold, Christoph Hornych, Michael Schwartz, Dominik Weiß
Einzelveröffentlichungen,
Nr. 4,
2011
Abstract
Der vorliegende Materialband gehört als Anhang zum IWH-Sonderheft 4/2011 „Wirtschaftliche Perspektiven für Leipzig: Wachstumspotenziale im Städtevergleich und mögliche Entwicklungsstrategien“. Diese Studie basiert auf einem Gutachten im Auftrag der Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Leipzig, das – am Beispiel der Stadt – der Ermittlung der bisher erreichten Position im Städtesystem und möglichen Strategien für die Zukunft dienen soll.
Konkret für Leipzig stellt sich insbesondere die Frage nach den Möglichkeiten, sich – wie nach der politischen Wende angestrebt wurde – weiter zu einer Handels-, Logistik- und Dienstleistungsmetropole und/oder stärker zu einer forschungsbasierten Industriestadt zu entwickeln. Leipzig galt lange Zeit als die „ostdeutsche Boomtown“, doch in den letzten Jahren hat die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung eher stagniert. Die Studie versucht unter anderem, die Ursachen dieser Tendenz zu ermitteln. In Anbetracht der engen Beziehungen Leipzigs zu den drei benachbarten Großstädten Dresden, Chemnitz und Halle (Saale) liegt es nahe, die dortige Entwicklung mit jener in Leipzig zu vergleichen.
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