Minister Thomas Strobl Discusses Digitalisation at ZEW

Digitalisation and its political and social ramifications as well as potential reform measures to ensure increased cooperation in Europe were the main topics up for discussion during a recent fact-finding visit from the Deputy Minister President and Minister of the Interior, Digitalisation and Migration for Baden-Württemberg, Thomas Strobl, to the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The minister was greeted by ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach as well as the institute’s Director of Business and Administration, Thomas Kohl, who both gave him an overview of the research being conducted at ZEW as well as the institute’s achievements in the field of policy advice and in supporting the careers of talented young researchers.

“ZEW is an outstanding research institute carrying out some of the most cutting-edge research in Europe. Today and the next few years will determine whether digitalisation is a success in Germany and in Baden-Württemberg. It is good to know that science, economics and politics have a strong partner on their side in the form of ZEW. The research carried out at ZEW serves as a scientific pillar underpinning the planning of Baden-Württemberg’s digitalisation strategy,” said Deputy Minister President and Minister of the Interior, Digitalisation and Migration for Baden-Württemberg, Thomas Strobl.

“Germany needs an innovation push”

Unsurprisingly, the minister showed particular interest in ZEW’s work in the field of digitalisation. Professor Irene Bertschek, head of the ZEW Research Department “Information and Communication Technologies”, talked to the minister about a number of the institute’s current projects in this area. She discussed, for instance, an investigation into the current state of digital connectedness in value added chains among companies which was carried out as part of the “Monitoring Report DIGITAL Economy 2017 – Compact” on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and presented at the Digital Summit organised by the German federal government. During her meeting with the minister, Bertschek also brought up ZEW’s important work on the possible consequences of digitalisation for the labour market, such as job losses as well as changes to the skill sets required for certain jobs and the resulting need for further training of employees. ZEW President Wambach pointed out that he saw a particular need for reform in the civil service and the healthcare sector, where the degree of digitalisation is still far too low. “This is where Germany really needs an innovation push,” said Wambach.

Reform is needed at the European level

Another important topic high on the political agenda which ZEW is also deeply involved with is Europe and the EU. Professor Friedrich Heinemann, head of the Research Department “Corporate Taxation and Public Finance”, discussed a number of ZEW studies dealing with the need for reform at the European level. For example, the institute has presented a number of policy suggestions to the EU, such as stronger military cooperation among the Member States, shared diplomatic missions and considerable cuts to agricultural subsidies, and calculated the savings to the EU budget resulting from each of these measures. “ZEW studies have shown that improvements in these areas would result in considerable savings and increased efficiency,” said Heinemann.

With the issues of digitalisation and Europe likely to keep politicians occupied for many years to come, this channel of communication between ZEW researchers and Minister Strobl is to remain open for the foreseeable future.

For further information please contact

Gunter Grittmann, Phone: +49(0)621 1235-132, E-mail: gunter.grittmann@zew.de