Landesanstalten

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/30

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 48

A behavioral macroeconomic model with endogenous boom-bust cycles and leverage dynamcis
(2011) Scheffknecht, Lukas; Geiger, Felix
We merge a financial market model with leverage-constrained, heterogeneous agents with a reduced-form version of the New-Keynesian standard model. Agents in both submodels are assumed to be boundedly rational. The financial market model produces endogenously arising boom-bust cycles. It is also capable to generate highly non-linear deleveraging processes, fire sales and ultimately a default scenario. Asset price booms are triggered via self-fulfilling prophecies. Asset price busts are induced by agents' choice of an increasingly fragile balance sheet structure during good times. Their vulnerability is inevitably revealed by small, randomly occurring shocks. Our transmission channel of financial market activity to the real sector embraces a recent strand of literature shedding light on the link between the active balance sheet management of financial market participants, the induced procyclical fluctuations of desired risk compensations and their final impact on the real economy. We show that a systematic central bank reaction on financial market developments dampens macroeconomic volatility considerably. Furthermore, restricting leverage in a countercyclical fashion limits the magnitude of financial cycles and hence their impact on the real economy.
A taxonomy of innovation networks
(2012) Pyka, Andreas; Schön, Benjamin
In this discussion paper we develop a theory-based typology of innovation networks with a special focus on public-private collaboration. This taxonomy is theoretically based on the concept of life cycles which is transferred to the context of innovation networks as well as on the mode of network formation which can occur either spontaneous or planned. The taxonomy distinguishes six different types of networks and incorporates two plausible alternative developments that eventually lead to a similar network structure of the two types of networks. From this, important conclusions and recommendations for network actors and policy makers are drawn.
Anwendung des öffentlichen Vergaberechts auf moderne IT-Softwareentwicklungsverfahren
(2011) Kirn, Stefan; Müller-Hengstenberg, Claus D.
Die öffentliche Hand ist der größte Auftraggeber in Deutschland, Europa und wohl auch in anderen Ländern der Welt wie USA und England. Nach der ?International Market Scoreboard-Statistik July 2009? betrug das Gesamtvolum aller EU-weit ausgeschriebenen öffentlichen Aufträge 2 Billionen Euro. Damit besitzt die öffentliche Hand eine beträchtliche Marktmacht, die geeignet ist, massiven Einfluss auf die Wettbewerbsverhältnisse auf den Märkten zu nehmen. Angesichts dieser Gefahr für den Wettbewerb hat das öffentliche Vergaberecht (§§ 100 f GWB, VOB/A,VOL/A usw.) die Aufgabe, diese Marktmacht der öffentlichen Auftraggeber in Grenzen zu halten und den Wettbewerb auf den Beschaffungsmärkten zu schützen. Absolute Priorität der Vergabeordnungen (§ 101 GWB) hat daher die öffentlichen Vergabe im Wettbewerb. Besondere Vergabeprobleme zeigen sich immer wieder bei der öffentlichen Vergabe von IT Anwendungsentwicklungen. Hierbei werden aus betriebswirtschaftlichen Gründen zunehmend Technologiekonzepte (iterative Verfahren) verwandt, bei denen die wirtschaftlichen und technischen Ziele erst in Form eines iterativen Prozesses zwischen Anbieter und Kunde erarbeitet und realisiert werden. Der nachfolgende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die öffentlichen Vergabearten und behandelt die Frage, ob und in welcher Weise Software-Entwicklungsprozesse mit den Vergabearten der öffentlichen Hand in Einklang stehen oder gebracht werden können.
Asymmetric obligations
(2011) Schildberg-Hörisch, Hannah; Riedel, Nadine
We use a laboratory experiment to investigate the behavioral effects of obligations that are not backed by binding deterrent incentives. To implement such expressive law' we introduce different levels of very weakly incentivized, symmetric and asymmetric minimum contribution levels (obligations) in a repeated public goods experiment. The results provide evidence for a weak expressive function of law: while the initial impact of high obligations on behavior is strong, it decreases over time. Asymmetric obligations are as effective as symmetric ones. Our results are compatible with the argument that expressive law affects behavior by attaching an emotional cost of disobeying the own obligation.
Business taxes and the electoral cycle
(2012) Riedel, Nadine; Foremny, Dirk
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether politicians manipulate the timing of tax rate changes in a strategic way to maximize reelection prospects. To do so, we exploit the German local business tax as a testing ground which is set autonomously by German municipalities. As election dates vary across local councils, the data allows us to disentangle effects related to the timing of elections from common trends. Using a rich panel data-set for German municipalities, we assess the impact of elections on local business tax choices. The findings support the notion of a political cycle in tax setting behavior as the growth rate of the local business tax is significantly reduced in the election year and the year prior to the election, while it jumps up in the year after the election. This pattern turns out to be robust against a number of sensitivity checks.
Capability-based governance patterns over the product life-cycle
(2013) Kok, A. G. de; La Poutré, J. A.; Pyka, Andreas; Vermeulen, B.
We investigate patterns of vertical governance over the product life-cycle as function of the capability regime properties imitability and substitutability. We use a novel neo-Schumpeterian model to study emerging governance patterns. We find that, in the era of incremental change, firms prefer vertical specialization. In the era of ferment, no governance form dominates. Imitability and substitutability, in interplay, determine the governance form preferred. High imitability frustrates appropriation and thereby integration for synergistic advantages. However, firms need not vertically specialize: under low substitutability, incompatibilities reduce the advantages of specialization. When both substitutability and imitability are low, firms can appropriate the value of their inventions and there is no combinatorial advantage of specialization, so firms predominantly integrate. If substitutability is high and imitability is low, the combinatorial advantage of specialization balances with the synergistic advantage of integration.
Causes of persistent productivity differences in the West German states in the period from 1950 to 1990
(2011) Waidlein, Nicole
Since the Second World War the West German states show persistent differences in their standard of living. The explanation of the incomplete catching-up process within West Germany is of crucial interest. After identifying productivity as the major growth driving force, this paper investigates the main causes of productivity growth on the state level between 1950 and 1990. With the help of growth theories different determinants of productivity growth are identified. These are innovations, secondary and tertiary human capital, structural change, openness and institutions. Finally, the empirical analysis reveals that three of those determinants are able to explain the persistent differences in the regional productivity levels: innovations, tertiary human capital and structural change.
Chinese urbanites and the preservation of rare species in remote parts of the country : the example of Eaglewood
(2014) Pelz, Sonna; Langenberger, Gerhard; Frör, Oliver; Ahlheim, Michael
Based on a Contingent Valuation study in Shanghai we assess peoples willingness to contribute personally to the alleviation of environmental problems occurring in distant parts of the country. One split of our survey assessed Shanghai residents willingness to pay for the preservation of rainforest in Yunnan, while the other split referred to the willingness to pay for the preservation of a single plant species (i.e. eaglewood) growing in this rainforest. The objectives of this study were twofold. Firstly, we wanted to find out if people living in big Chinese cities like Shanghai take an interest in the environmental problems existing in some remote parts of the country and if they are willing to contribute personally to remedy these problems. Secondly, we wanted to learn more about the motivation behind this kind of empathy, if it exists. We were especially interested in the question if this empathy refers to the specific environmental problems we addressed in our surveys or if it is motivated more by a general feeling of obligation towards environmental issues.
Considering household size in contingent valuation studies
(2013) Schneider, Friedrich; Ahlheim, Michael
In many empirical Contingent Valuation studies one finds that household size, i. e. the number auf household members, is negatively correlated with stated household willingness to pay for the realization of environmental projects. This observation is rather puzzling because in larger households more people can benefit from an environmental improvement than in small households. Therefore, the overall benefit should be greater for larger households. A plausible explanation could be that household budgets are tighter for large families than for smaller families with the same overall family income. The fact that larger families can afford only smaller willingness to pay statements in Contingent Valuation surveys than smaller families with the same income and the same preferences might have consequences for the allocation of public funds whenever the realization of an environmental project is made dependent on the outcome of a Contingent Valuation study. In this paper we show how the use of household equivalence scales for the assessment of environmental projects with the Contingent Valuation Method can serve to reduce the discrimination of members of large families.
Corporate taxation and the quality of research and development
(2013) Riedel, Nadine; Richter, Katharina; Ernst, Christof
This paper examines the impact of tax incentives on corporate research and development (R&D) activity. Traditionally, R&D tax incentives have been provided in the form of special tax allowances and tax credits. In recent years, several countries moreover reduced their income tax rates on R&D output. Previous papers have shown that all three tax instruments are effective in raising the quantity of R&D related activity. We provide evidence that, beyond this quantity effect, corporate taxation also distorts the quality of R&D projects, i.e. their innovativeness and revenue potential. Using rich data on corporate patent applications to the European patent office, we find that a low tax rate on patent income is instrumental in attracting innovative projects with a high earnings potential and innovation level. The effect is statistically significant and economically relevant and prevails in a number of sensitivity checks. R&D tax credits and tax allowances are in turn not found to exert a statistically significant impact on project quality.
Does medieval trade still mater? Historical trade centers, agglomeration and contemporary economic development
(2013) Wahl, Fabian
This study empirically establishes a link between medieval trade, agglomeration and contemporary regional development in ten European countries. It documents a statistically and economically significant positive relationship between prominent involvement in medieval trade and commercial activities and regional economic development today. Further empirical analyses show that medieval trade positively influenced city development both during the medieval period and in the long run; they also reveal a robust connection between medieval city growth and contemporary regional agglomeration and industry concentration. A mediation analysis indicates that a long-lasting effect of medieval trade on contemporary regional development is indeed transmitted via its effect on agglomeration and industry concentration. This research thus highlights the long-run importance of medieval trade in shaping the development of cities as well as the contemporary spatial distribution of economic activity throughout Europe. The path-dependent regional development processes caused by medieval commercial activities help explain the observed persistent regional development differences across the European countries considered.
Drinking and protecting - a market approach to the preservation of cork oak landscapes
(2010) Frör, Oliver; Ahlheim, Michael
With the availability of new techniques to close wine bottles avoiding the risk of ?corky? taste the tradition of closing wine bottles with cork stoppers is on the retreat. As a consequence the Mediterranea cork oak forests with their rich biodiversity are endangered since their cultivation is not profitable anymore. This paper explores the viability of a market approach to the preservation of these ecologically valuable landscapes. In an internet-based Contingent Valuation survey we assess wine consumers' willingness to pay a higher price for wine bottles closed with high-quality cork stoppers instead of buying wine with alternative stoppers in order to preserve the cork oak landscapes. We find that though many wine consumers have experience with tainted wine they are, nevertheless, willing to buy wine with (highquality) cork stoppers at higher prices. Their average WTP is, however, not sufficient to cover the additional costs of these stoppers. Thus, we propose a financing mix of market returns and government subsidies for preserving the cork oaks. As a precondition for this market approach to be successful bottles with high-quality cork stoppers must be clearly identifiable in the shops, and consumers must be informed about the ecological consequences of supporting the cork production.
Die Durchsetzung von Schnittstellen in der Standardsetzung : Fallbeispiel Ladesystem Elektromobilität
(2012) Slowak, André P.
Ein Standard stellt ein technisches Dokument dar, welches die Beschaffenheit, Leistung und Eigenschaften eines Produktes beschreibt. Er spezifiziert bspw. auch die Schnittstellen verschiedener Software in einem System, so dass eine Kompatibilität hergestellt wird (vgl. u.a. Cargill und Bolin, 2007, S. 311; David, 2005, S. 211). Ein technischer Standard vereinheitlicht die Schnittstellen und/oder die Eigenschaften einer Produktgattung. Jakobs (2000, S. 11 ff.) und De Vries (2006, S. 3) definieren ?Standards? als Spezifikation von Abläufen, Regeln und Anforderungen. Eine Spezifikation schafft ein gemeinsames Verständnis, welche Leistung ein System, Produkt oder eine Dienstleistung erbringen muss (ebd.) Diese Studie verdeutlicht neue, da systemische Methoden der Standardsetzung. Wir zeigen Charakteristika der Durchsetzung eines großen Systems und seiner Schnittstellen am Beispiel des Ladesystems für Elektromobile auf. Die Durchsetzung des Elektroautomobils erfordert ein integriertes Produktsystem. Die OEMs müssen eine Reihe heterogener Akteure in ihre vorwettbewerblichen Aktivitäten mit einbeziehen. Sie müssen zudem geeignete Organisationsstrukturen der Standardsetzung aufbauen. Die Durchsetzung des Connectors (Ladestecker zum Elektroautomobil) Mennekes, Yazaki oder CHAdeMO meint die Durchsetzung eines Systems. Entscheidend in der Vorgehensweise ist die gezielte Ausweitung des Systems von der Kernkomponente oder Schnittstellen hin zu einem wirtschaftlichen Ökosystem. In Kap. 2 gehen wir zunächst auf verschiedene Standardsetzungsmethoden ein. Wir grenzen die systemische Standardsetzungsmethode von der modularen und integralen Problemlösung ab. In Kap. 3 zeigen wir die Akteure und den Verlauf des Systemkrieges um Ladestecker der Ladeart III (Langsamaufladung) und IV (Schnellaufladung) auf. Das Konzept systemischer Standardsetzungsmethoden wenden wir in Kap. 4 auf die empirische Fallstudie (Kap. 3) an. Kap. 5 schließt das Diskussionspapier mit einem Fazit und Ausblick bzw. Handlungsempfehlungen ab.
Economic consequences of low fertility in Europe
(2010) Bloom, David E.; Sousa-Poza, Alfonso
This paper focuses on possible economic consequences of low fertility in Europe. It summarizes a selection of papers that were presented at a conference at the University of St. Gallen in April 2008. This introduction also reviews the history of falling fertility in Europe and the literature that explores its causes, its potential implications, and possible policy responses. It summarizes the evolution of thinking about the relationship between population growth and economic development, with attention to recent work on the mechanisms through which fertility decline can spur economic growth if the necessary supporting conditions are met. The paper also identifies some of the challenges of population aging that are associated with low fertility and suggests that there may be less reason for alarm than has been suggested by some observers.
Engel curves, spatial variation in prices and demand for commodities in Cote d'Ivoire
(2011) Sousa-Poza, Alfonso; Gbakou, Monnet Benoit Patrick
This paper aims to estimate the price and income elasticities of the demand for essential commodities in Cote d?Ivoire. Using data from the 2002 Cote d'Ivoire Living Standard Survey and a theoretical framework developed by Crawford et al. (2003), we analyse price effects on the demand for groups of commodities by exploiting a relationship between unit values and commodity quantities and deriving Engel curves. Our findings reveal that the own-price elasticity of meat and dairy products is considerably stronger for rich households (those in the 90th percentile of total expenditure) than for poor households (those in the 10th percentile of total expenditure). Although all the modelled groups of commodities are normal goods, the paper shows that starch is more of a necessity for poor households than for rich ones, whereas meat and dairy products are more of a luxury good for poor households than for rich households.
Fairness considerations in labor union wage setting : a theoretical analysis
(2012) Strifler, Matthias; Beißinger, Thomas
We consider a theoretical model in which unions not only take the outside option into account, but also base their wage-setting decisions on an internal reference, called the fairness reference. Wage and employment outcomes and the shape of the aggregate wagesetting curve depend on the weight and the size of the fairness reference relative to the outside option. If the fairness reference is relatively high compared to the outside option, higher wages and lower employment than in the standard model will prevail. If hit by an adverse technology shock, the economy will then react with a stronger downward adjustment in employment, whereas real wages are more rigid than in the standard model. With a low fairness reference the opposite results are obtained. An increase in the fairness weight amplifies the deviations of wages and employment from those of the standard model. It also leads to an increase in the degree of real wage rigidity if the fairness reference is high and an increase in the degree of real wage flexibility if the fairness reference is low. Thus, higher wages go hand in hand with more pronounced wage stickiness.
Foreign patenting in Germany, 1877 - 1932
(2010) Streb, Jochen; Degner, Harald
In this paper, we use both patents? individual life span and foreign patenting activities in Germany to identify the most valuable patents of the 21 most innovative countries (except for Germany) from the European Core, the European periphery and overseas between 1877 and 1932. Our empirical analysis reveals that important characteristics of the international distribution of foreign patents are time-invariant. In particular, the distribution of foreign patents across countries in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was as highly skewed as it was in the late twentieth century ? and even dominated by the same major research economies. Our analysis suggests that firms? technological advantages were influenced both by exogenous local factors, such as the countries? resource endowment, and by endogenous factors, such as the national education and research system or the countries? actual stage of economic development.
Household food waste quantification and cross-examining the official figures: A study on household wheat bread waste in Shiraz, Iran
(2022) Ghaziani, Shahin; Ghodsi, Delaram; Schweikert, Karsten; Dehbozorgi, Gholamreza; Faghih, Shiva; Mohabati, Shabnam; Doluschitz, Reiner
The global consumer food waste (FW) estimates are mainly based on modeling data obtained from governments. However, a major data gap exists in FW at the household level, especially in developing countries. Meanwhile, the reliability of the existing data is questionable. This study aimed to quantify wheat bread waste (HBW) in Shiraz, Iran, and cross-examine the governmental HBW data. Face-to-face waste recall questionnaire interviews were conducted in 419 households from December 2018 to August 2019. A multistage sampling strategy consisting of stratification, clustering, and systematic sampling was employed. Moreover, we carried out a comprehensive document review to extract and analyze the official HBW data. The results revealed that the HBW in Shiraz is 1.80%—the waste amounts for traditional bread and non-traditional bread were 1.70% and 2.50%, respectively. The survey results were compared with the previous official data, revealing a substantial contradiction with the 30% HBW reported between 1991 and 2015. Possible reasons for this disparity are explored in this paper. Although our results cannot be generalized to other food commodities and locations, our findings suggest that considering the substantial likelihood of bias in the official data, policymakers should conduct more FW measurements and re-evaluate the accuracy of the existing data.
Identifizierung und Analyse deutsch-türkischer Innovationsnetzwerke : erste Ergebnisse des TGIN-Projektes
(2012) Erginkoc, Suna; Onan, Gaye; Rashidi, Sheida; Hartmann, Dominik; Pyka, Andreas; Aydin, Seda; Klauß, Lena; Stahl, Fabian; Santircioglu, Ali; Oberegelsbacher, Silvia
Dieses Paper fasst die ersten Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojektes ?Wissenstransfer in Deutsch-Türkischen Innovationsnetzwerke (TGIN) im Kontext der Europäischen Union? zusammen. TGIN eröffnet eine neue Perspektive auf die deutsch-türkische Beziehungen, indem es die ökonomischen Win-Win Situationen aufzeigt, welche durch Deutsch-Türkische Wissensmigration, transnationale Unternehmer und Innovationsnetzwerke entstehen. Im Zentrum der europäischen Wachstumsstrategie steht die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit durch Mobilität, Kooperation und Innovation. Internationale Unternehmer, Wissensmigration und kulturelle Vielfalt können ein wesentlicher Antreiber von Lernprozessen und Innovation sein. Aus innovations ökonomischer Sicht können die historisch gewachsenen Beziehungen zwischen Türkei, Deutschland und Europa viel besser genutzt werden. Die ersten Analysen zeigen, dass Deutsch-Türkische Innovationsnetzwerke zwar kein weit verbreitetes, aber dennoch existierendes und schnell wachsendes Phänomen mit großem Potential sind. Die Methoden der sozialen Netzwerkanalyse helfen, Strukturen, Stärken und Schwächen, Chancen und Herausforderungen aufzudecken. Angesichts des Fachkräfte- und Ingenieursmangels in Deutschland, des einseitigen Wachstums der Türkei sowie des zunehmenden globalen Wettbewerbes können Deutschland und die Türkei von der zunehmenden Vernetzung des Innovationsprozesses profitieren.
Innovationspotentiale in Baden-Württemberg : branchenspezifische Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaktivität, regionales Patentaufkommen und Beschäftigungsstruktur
(2012) Rukwid, Ralf; Christ, Julian P.
Aufgrund der bestehenden und sich weiter intensivierenden internationalen Konkurrenz in vielen Technologiebereichen und Branchen ist eine erhöhte Innovationsfähigkeit und Innovationstätigkeit als zentraler Erfolgsfaktor für die Unternehmen in Baden-Württemberg anzusehen. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts ?Innovationspotentiale in Baden-Württemberg: Innovationsindikatoren und regionale Clusterbildung?? wurden verschiedene Fragestellungen aufgegriffen, die für die Analyse der baden-württembergischen Wirtschaft und die Darstellung der regionalen Innovationskraft und Innovationspotentiale von essentieller Bedeutung sind. Die strukturellen Besonderheiten der regionalen Beschäftigung und Humanressourcen gelten allgemein als erfolgskritisch für Forschung, Entwicklung, Invention und Innovation. In diesem Beitrag wird daher überprüft, inwieweit die baden-württembergische Beschäftigung auf bestimmte Technologiebereiche bzw. Wirtschaftszweige überdurchschnittlich spezialisiert ist. Für die Analyse der baden-württembergischen Innovationspotentiale werden, neben der regionalen Beschäftigungsstruktur nach Technologiebereichen, zudem die Humanressourcen in Wissenschaft und Technologie, wie auch das Qualifikations- bzw. Bildungsniveau, als besonders relevant eingestuft. Weiterhin gelten die Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaufwendungen, insbesondere die FuE-Aktivitäten des Wirtschaftssektors, als wesentlicher Träger und Garant wirtschaftlichen Erfolgs und zukünftiger Beschäftigungssicherung. Unterschiede in regionalen bzw. nationalen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaktivitäten führen generell zu signifikanten Strukturunterschieden von Regionen bzw. Volkswirtschaften, welche sich mittel- bis langfristig in der Produktions- bzw. Wertschöpfungsstruktur, der Innovations- und Technologiestruktur sowie der Beschäftigungs- und Exportstruktur widerspiegeln. Es werden daher in diesem Beitrag die Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaktivitäten Baden-Württembergs, insbesondere mit Blick auf ausgesuchte Branchenaggregate und Technologiebereiche, genauer untersucht. Komplementär zu den Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaktivitäten, welche in der Literatur generell als Input-Indikatoren des Innovationsprozesses angesehen werden, stellen eingereichte Patentanmeldungen bzw. gewährte Patente den Output der Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaktivität dar. In dieser Studie werden, im Kontext Baden-Württembergs, gezielt ausgewählte Technologiebereiche genauer untersucht, welche dem Bereich Metall & Elektro und IKT (M&E-IKT-Aggregat) nahe stehen.

Browse

Browsing Landesanstalten by Classification "330"