1. Expertises // 2011

    The Role of Investment Banking for the German Economy

    The aim of this study is to assess the contributions of investment banking to productivity and growth of the German economy. To this end we will analyse both the economic benefits and the risks stemming from…

  2. Expertises // 2011

    Cumulative Effects of Measures for the Banking Sector - Impact Assessment of the Various Regulatory Initiatives Affecting the EU Banking Sector

    In this study we will carry out an extensive review of existing impact studies, taking into account studies from various sources. We will consider the following legislative measures: taxation of banks and the…

  3. Discussion and Working Paper // 2011

    Pollution, Shadow Economy and Corruption: Theory and Evidence

    We study how the shadow economy affects pollution and how this effect depends on corruption levels in public administration. Production in the shadow economy allows firms to avoid environmental regulation…

  4. ZEW Discussion Paper No. 11-065 // 2011

    Coordination Under Threshold Uncertainty in a Public Goods Game

    Many natural resources involve threshold effects. Using these resources beyond a tipping point can have disastrous consequences for the environment and human well-being. Prominent examples are related to…

  5. ZEW Discussion Paper No. 11-064 // 2011

    Industry-Science Connections in Agriculture: Do Public Science Collaborations and Knowledge Flows Contribute to Firm-level Agricultural Research Productivity?

    Academic institutions are an important component of the public agricultural research system in many countries. According to the "open science" model of research, these institutions produce new knowledge,…

  6. ZEW Discussion Paper No. 11-063 // 2011

    The Impact of Public Basic Research on Industrial Innovation: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Industry

    While most economists believe that public scientific research fuels industry innovation and economic growth, systematic evidence supporting this relationship is surprisingly limited. In a recent study, Acemoglu…

  7. ZEW Discussion Paper No. 11-062 // 2011

    Individual Exchange Rate Forecasts and Expected Fundamentals

    Exchange rates are one of the most important prices in open economies. Despite their great importance for many enterprises, surprisingly little is known about the economic factors influencing the ups and downs…

  8. ZEW Discussion Paper No. 11-061 // 2011

    University Rankings in Action? The Importance of Rankings and an Excellence Competition for University Choice of High-Ability Students

    Every year, secondary school graduates have to choose a university. This is a crucial decision for their future trajectories made under imperfect information. Therefore, quality indicators like university…