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Studies
- Bardt, Hubertus
- Beznoska, Martin
- Busch, Berthold
- Büchel, Jan
- Demary, Markus
- Demary, Vera
- Diermeier, Matthias
- Engels, Barbara
- Enste, Dominik H.
- Grömling, Michael
- Haag, Maike
- Hammermann, Andrea
- Hentze, Tobias
- Hüther, Michael
- Kohlisch, Enno
- Kolev-Schaefer, Galina
- Koppel, Oliver
- Matthes, Jürgen
- Mertens, Armin
- Neligan, Adriana
- Obst, Thomas
- Parthie, Sandra
- Plünnecke, Axel
- Puls, Thomas
- Rusche, Christian
- Sagner, Pekka
- Schüler, Ruth Maria
- Stettes, Oliver
- Sultan, Samina
- Voigtländer, Michael
Reforming the WTO’s subsidy rules
The African Group proposes to reform the WTO’s subsidy rules for industrial goods. Even if this demand for more policy space entails some problems, the EU should view this as an opportunity.
Jürgen Matthes / Samina Sultan IW
How companies use ChatGPT
ChatGPT is currently very popular. The AI can answer questions in seconds, summarize entire texts or create programming code. On the one hand, there are many advantages for the economy and society, on the other hand, experts warn of dangers and call for regulation. It is therefore interesting to see whether and for what purposes companies are already using ChatGPT.
Jan Büchel / Armin Mertens IW
Reform of EU-fiscal rules: Lindner's ideas have merit
The German government's proposal to introduce a fixed limit on government spending growth for highly indebted member states in the course of the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact makes sense. Given the macroeconomic environment, such a minimum requirement does not appear overambitious. This would ensure a steady reduction in the government deficit and debt level.
Jürgen Matthes / Samina Sultan IW
The Rise and Fall of Industrial Cities on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Buffalo (New York) and Dortmund (North Rhine Westphalia) as well as Akron (Ohio) and Chemnitz (Saxony) are twin cities that share the history of deindustrialization. At the same time, they experienced rapid population growth and a globalization shock in the middle and end (East Germany) of the twentieth century. The structural change in the Rust Belt was accompanied by economic upheavals, which is still reflected in today’s reluctance for electoral participation. In this respect, social security and regional policy have had a stabilizing effect in Germany.
Ruth Maria Schüler / Matthias Diermeier IW
Most companies are not data economy ready
Data is the central resource of the digital transformation. It underlies all digital processes, transactions and interactions. The use of this data is key to innovation and sustainable growth (BMWK, 2022). Currently, however, many companies in Germany do not meet the requirements to be able to use data efficiently. This is shown by a survey of 1,051 companies from industry and industry-related service providers.
Jan Büchel / Barbara Engels IW
Innovation and diversity: Migration prevents decline in patent activity
Migration makes an indispensable contribution to Germany's innovative strength: a record 12.2 percent of all patent applications developed in this country are entirely attributable to inventors with foreign roots. Many German companies already show considerable diversity in this respect.
Maike Haag / Enno Kohlisch / Oliver Koppel IW
Single Market Emergency Instrument: An instrument with pitfalls
In reaction to recent disruptions concerning the Single Market, the European Commission proposed an Emergency Instrument to maintain the proper functioning of the Single Market and ensure the supply and distribution of goods and services. It provides for far-reaching measures. The dirigiste interventions in the market it allows, are to be critically questioned, while better coordination and exchange of information between the member states could be an added value of the SMEI.
Samina Sultan / Christian Rusche / Berthold Busch / Hubertus Bardt IW
How the Russian cyber warfare threatens European businesses
The Russian attack on Ukraine took place long before the current ground, sea, and air attack: It started online. The conflict is also a cyber war with extensive cyberattacks. This can severely impact European businesses.
Vera Demary IW
China's digital policy: a threat to European business models
China is making great strides in regulating digitization. Some aspects are similar to European approaches, but Chinese laws on data security and protection go much further. This may result in a threat to European business models.
Vera Demary / Jürgen Matthes IW
Cost-benefit considerations of lockdowns – what are we missing?
A cross-country comparison shows similar behavioural adaptations of individuals despite different degrees of stringency of the respective lockdown in place. In Germany, during the first lockdown in spring 2020 mobility fell by 45 percent, while in Sweden it also decreased by 27 percent during the same period. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis is crucial to better evaluate the efficacy of lockdowns and implied trade-offs.
Thomas Obst / Dan Schläger IW
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