_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Z E W N E W S L E T T E R E N G L I S H E D I T I O N No. 2016-01 January 28, 2016 (Yvonne Braeutigam, newsletter-en@zew.de) http://www.zew.eu _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Content 1. NEWS 2. CALL FOR PAPERS 2.1. Fourth International BIBB/IAB/ZEW Conference on TASKS IV 2.2. Fifth Mannheim Energy Conference 3. STAFF 3.1. Appointments 3.2. Visiting Researchers 4. PRESS RELEASES 5. RECENT PUBLICATIONS IN ENGLISH 5.1. ZEW policy brief 5.2. Financial Market Report Switzerland 5.3. ZEW-PwC-China Economic Barometer 5.4. ZEW Discussion Papers IN GERMAN 5.5. ZEW Finanzmarktreport (ZEW Financial Market Report) 5.6. ZEW Discussion Papers 5.7. Gutachten/Forschungsberichte (Expertises/Research Reports) 6. NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS 7. EVENTS 7.1. Professional Training 7.2. Public Events 7.3. Scientific Events _____________________________________________________________________ 1. NEWS 28.01.2016 - ZEW/CPS-IT (tko/ybr) New ZEW Homepage Successfully Relaunched: The new homepage of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) was launched at www.zew.eu on January 25, 2016. After several months of construction, the relaunch of the institute's website has been successfully completed. A special focus was set on a clear presentation of the extensive, international activities of the economic research institute, which include research and economic policy advice as well as knowledge transfer, events, and qualification programmes. Against the backdrop of an increasingly professional science communication, the new homepage constitutes a key component in ZEW's communication strategy. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3284 07.01.2016 - ZEW (fkr) ZEW Economist Sascha Steffen Takes Over Professorship for Financial Markets at the University of Mannheim: Professor Sascha Steffen, head of the Research Department "International Finance and Financial Management" at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), has officially taken over the professorship for financial markets in the Area Finance of the University of Mannheim Business School. Steffen, a distinguished financial market expert, is thus once again wholly active in Mannheim. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/news/3261 07.01.2016 - ZEW (ggr) ZEW at ASSA: Many Positive Talks and Productive Scientific Exchanges: ZEW's participation in the annual conference of the Allied Social Sciences Association (ASSA) in the US at the beginning of 2016 was an enormous success. High-quality sessions enabled the participating ZEW researchers to partake in top-level scientific exchanges. The presentations given by Professor Sascha Steffen in particular were met with great approval. Steffen, the new head of the "International Finance" Research Department at ZEW, presented his research papers on "The Effects of the ECB Policy on Deposit and Lending Rates" and "Systematic Risks for Banks". In addition, Steffen discussed a paper on "The Transmission of Monetary Policy in the German Banking Market". Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/news/3262 07.01.2016 - ZEW (ggr) New ZEW Forecast Survey Published: Nineteen banks participated in the January 2016 ZEW Forecast Survey. Forecasts were submitted until December 22, 2015. The three-month DAX forecasts (German Share Index) remain positive. The surveyed institutes predicted DAX scores within a range of 11,000 and 11,900 points. This is the finding of the ZEW Forecast Survey published on a quarterly basis by ZEW and Boersen-Zeitung. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/news/3259 21.12.2015 - ZEW (cra/ggr) 2015 Innovation Indicator Published - Study from ISI and ZEW Compares Innovation Performance in 35 National Economies: Germany is closing in on Switzerland and Singapore, the two countries leading in international innovation rankings. Germany now ranks in fifth place in international comparison. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/news/3253 For current news, please visit: http://www.zew.de/news 2. CALL FOR PAPERS 2.1. Fourth International BIBB/IAB/ZEW Conference on TASKS IV 19.01.2016 - ZEW (jgl/ybr) Fourth International BIBB/IAB/ZEW Conference on TASKS IV (September 7-9, 2016): The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), and the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) are jointly organising the fourth international TASKS conference on "Labor Market Adjustments to Digitization and the Future of Work" from September 7-9, 2016. The aim of this conference is to bring together economists and sociologists to discuss frontier research on the labor market effects of automation and digitization. We encourage theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions from all areas of labor economics, labor sociology and related fields. Please submit full papers or an extended abstract as PDF file to tasks@zew.de no later than March 15, 2016. Further information and Call for Papers: http://www.zew.de/tasks2016 2.2. Fifth Mannheim Energy Conference 15.01.2016 - ZEW (jgl/ybr) Fifth Mannheim Energy Conference (May 19-20, 2016): The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and the Mannheim Centre for Competition and Innovation (MaCCI) are pleased to announce the fifth Mannheim Energy Conference on May 19 and 20, 2016. International scholars and practitioners in the field of energy economics are invited to discuss the lessons learned from deregulation, new opportunities and future challenges. Advanced theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions are welcome. Interested researchers are invited to submit a paper or an extended abstract (at least three pages), interested professionals may submit a single page abstract in PDF format to energy2016@zew.de no later than February 7, 2016. Further information and Call for Papers: http://zew.de/energy2016 3. STAFF 3.1. Appointments 18.01.2016 - ZEW (hbo/ybr) ZEW Labour Economist Holger Bonin Appointed to German Migration Council: Against the backdrop of the current political situation, migration and asylum are hotly debated issues in Germany and Europe. Professor Holger Bonin, head of the ZEW Research Department "Labour Markets, Human Resources and Social Policy", was appointed to the Migration Council as a labour market expert in December 2015. The council brings together researchers from various disciplines. Council members contribute their expertise to place the debate about migration, asylum and integration in Germany on a more objective, fact-based footing. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/news/3266 3.2. Visiting Researchers 18.01.2016 - ZEW (jgl/ybr) Prof. Ravi Kanbur Visiting Researcher at ZEW: Professor Dr. Ravi Kanbur was a visiting researcher in ZEW's Research Group "International Distribution and Redistribution" on January 7 and 8, 2016. He is T. H. Lee Professor of World Affairs and Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University in Ithaca (US). Since the beginning of the year, he has also been Chair of the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER). His research interests lie in the field of public economics, development economics and economic theory. During his stay, he worked with ZEW researchers on the empirical evaluation of income distributions according to various ethical principles. Additional information on Professor Dr. Ravi Kanbur: http://www.kanbur.aem.cornell.edu/bio.php 26.01.2016 - ZEW (jgl/ybr) Jens Perner Visiting Researcher at ZEW: Dr. Jens Perner was a visiting researcher in ZEW's Research Group "Competition and Regulation" on January 21 and 22, 2016. He is Associate Director at Frontier Economics Cologne and provides companies, associations, and authorities with advice in the areas of regulation, competition, market design, and strategy. His focus lies in the areas of market design and auctions as well as regulation. During his stay at ZEW, Dr. Perner held a lecture at the Mannheim Competition Policy Forum on cross-border competition in capacity mechanisms. Additional information on Dr. Jens Perner: http://www.frontier-economics.com/person/jens-perner/ 4. PRESS RELEASES 21.01.2016 - ZEW (fhe/ggr/jpr) Asylum Policy in Europe - ZEW-Study in Favour of European Asylum Agency: A European Asylum Agency (EAA) holding responsibility for determining the acceptance of refugees and the processing of asylum applications across Europe would reduce costs and ensure a fairer allocation of refugees than the current system, whereby each European state implements its own asylum policies. An EAA would allow for greater specialisation via the appointment of EAA case managers and would provide sufficient capacity for reducing both the time and costs involved in processing asylum requests. Furthermore, this would allow allocation of refugees according to the acceptance capacities of individual EU Member States. This is the finding of a study carried out by the Mannheim Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3273 21.01.2016 - ZEW (zil/fkr) ZEW-Erste Group Bank Economic Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Economic Sentiment Slightly Improves: Economic expectations for Central and Eastern Europe including Turkey (CEE region) have again slightly improved in January 2016. In the current survey, the ZEW-Erste Group Bank Economic Sentiment Indicator for the CEE region has increased by 4.8 points to a level of 4.9 points. Among the individual countries, the by far largest increase has been displayed by the indicators for the Czech Republic (up by 17.4 points) and Romania (up by 16.1 points). The ZEW-Erste Group Bank Economic Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe reflects financial market experts' expectations for the CEE region on a six-month time horizon. The indicator has been compiled on a monthly basis together with further financial market data by the Mannheim Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) with the support of Erste Group Bank, Vienna, since 2007. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3275 20.01.2016 - ZEW (zil/fkr) ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Turbulent Start at the Beginning of 2016 Dims Growth Outlook: The ZEW-CS Indicator for the economic sentiment in Switzerland has declined markedly in January 2016 by 19.6 points to a reading of minus 3.0. The indicator has thus reached its lowest reading since July 2015, when it clocked in at minus 5.4 points. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3271 19.01.2016 - ZEW (jrr/dre/jpr) ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Subdued Economic Outlook: The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has declined in January 2016. The index has decreased by 5.9 points compared to the previous month, now standing at 10.2 points (long-term average: 24.7 points). The indicator has declined for the first time following two consecutive increases. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3269 13.01.2016 - ZEW (cra/kbo) ZEW Innovation Survey - German Economy Maintains High Level of Innovation Expenditures - Substantial Increase Planned for 2016: German enterprises spent EUR 145 billion on innovations in 2014. The German economy was thus able to match the high level achieved in the previous year (2013: EUR 145.2 billion) with respect to innovation expenditures. For 2015 and 2016, companies plan to increase their innovation budgets by up to six per cent. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), however, showed restraint in 2014, with their innovation expenditures decreasing by nine per cent. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3264 13.01.2016 ยท ZEW (msc/ggr/jpr) China Economic Panel (CEP) of ZEW and Fudan University (Shanghai) - Cautious Sentiment: Forecasts for the Chinese economy have further cooled down at the turn of the year. The CEP Indicator, which reflects the expectations of international financial market experts in regard to China's macroeconomic development over the coming twelve months, has deteriorated in the current survey period (12/25/15-01/11/16), falling to minus 4.5 points. The CEP Indicator has thus almost returned to its all-time low of minus 9.7 points from September 2015. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3265 21.12.2015 - ZEW (she/fkr) ZEW-ZEPHYR M&A Volume-per-Deal Index - Global Record in Mergers and Acquisitions: It is becoming ever harder to find adequate terms for describing the levels achieved in the area of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The motivation of top managers does not, however, seem to be dwindling; the number of super deals concluded in 2015 has continued to shoot upwards. Four of the largest ten, or eight of the largest twenty deals concluded in the past decade took place in 2015. Read more: http://www.zew.de/en/press/3254 For current press releases, please visit: http://www.zew.de/en/presse 5. RECENT PUBLICATIONS IN ENGLISH 5.1. ZEW policy brief ZEW policy brief - No. 1, 2016 Why and How There Should Be More Europe in Asylum Policies Download as PDF file(*) (reference is given at the end of "RECENT PUBLICATIONS"): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/policybrief/pb01-16.pdf 5.2. Financial Market Report Switzerland Financial Market Report Switzerland February 2016 * Turbulent Start to New Year Dims Growth Outlook * International Financial Market Data - Assessments and Expectations * No Further Interest-Rate Cuts Expected in Europe * Inflation in Europe Expected to Normalise * Share-Price Expectations Revised Downward * Analysts Expect the US Dollar to Appreciate * Special Question 1: Economic Growth for 2016 * Special Question 2: Inflation for 2016 * Special Question 3: Three-Month CHF LIBOR Download as PDF file(*): http://www.zew.de/zew-cs-financialmarketreport 5.3. ZEW-PwC China Economic Barometer ZEW-PwC China Economic Barometer, First Quarter 2016 * Economic Outlook Slightly Brighter but Remains Negative Overall * Growth Supported by Private Consumption and Investment * New Five-Year Plan: Expected to Bring Improvements for German Companies too; Continuing Urgend Need for Reforms on Legal Security, Enivornmental Protection and Market Access Download as PDF file(*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/chinarep/en/ZEW-PwC-WirtschaftsbarometerChina_enQ1_2016.pdf 5.4. ZEW Discussion Papers 16-005 Christian Rammer; Torben Schubert Concentration on the Few? R&D and Innovation in German Firms 2001 to 2013 Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp16005.pdf 16-004 Dirk Crass; Dirk Czarnitzki; Andrew Toole The Dynamic Relationship Between Investments in Brand Equity and Firm Profitability: Evidence Using Trademark Registrations Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp16004.pdf 16-003 Clemens Fuest; Andreas Peichl; Sebastian Siegloch Do Higher Corporate Taxes Reduce Wages? Micro Evidence from Germany Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp16003.pdf 16-002 Wolfgang Briglauer; Carlo Cambini; Sauro Melani How to Fill the Digital Gap? The (Limited) Role of Regulation Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp16002.pdf 15-086 Fabienne Rasel ICT and Global Sourcing - Evidence for German Manufacturing and Service Firms Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp15086.pdf 15-085 Maresa Sprietsma Student Employment: Advantage or Handicap for Academic Achievement? Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp15085.pdf 15-084 Paul Hufe; Andreas Peichl; John Roemer; Martin Ungerer Inequality of Income Acquisition: The Role of Childhood Circumstances Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp15084.pdf IN GERMAN 5.5. ZEW Finanzmarktreport (ZEW Financial Market Report) ZEW Financial Market Report February 2016 * Subdued Economic Outlook * Eurozone: Inflation Expectations Decrease * USA: Strong USD and Cheap Oil Put a Strain on Economic Outlook * Japan: Falling Oil Price Improves Economic Situation * Great Britain: Economic Outlook Decreases Once Again * Special Question: Stable Economic Growth Expected Download shortly as PDF file (in German)(*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/frep/022016.pdf 5.6. ZEW Discussion Papers 16-001 Jens Mohrenweiser; Friedhelm Pfeiffer Zur Entwicklung der studienspezifischen Selbstwirksamkeit in der Oberstufe (On the Development of Study-Specific Self-Efficacy in the Sixth Form) Download as PDF file (*): http://ftp.zew.de/pub/zew-docs/dp/dp16001.pdf 5.7. Gutachten/Forschungsberichte (Expertises/Research Reports) Rainer Frietsch, Christian Rammer, Torben Schubert, Oliver Som, Marian Beise-Zee and Alfred Spielkamp (2015), Innovationsindikator 2015 (2015 Innovation Indicator), Acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering; Federation of German Industries (BDI), Mannheim. Additional information and Download: http://www.zew.de/de/publikationen/8132 Christian Rammer, Dirk Crass, Thorsten Doherr, Martin Hud, Paul Huenermund, Younes Iferd, Christian Koehler, Bettina Peters and Torben Schubert (2016), Innovationsverhalten der deutschen Wirtschaft - Indikatorenbericht zur Innovationserhebung 2015 (Innovation Behaviour of the German Economy - Indicator Report on the 2015 Innovation Survey), Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Mannheim. Additional information and Download: http://www.zew.de/de/publikationen/8172 (*) Please note: PDF files can be displayed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. The software can be downloaded for free: http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader For current publications, please visit: http://www.zew.de/en/publications 6. NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS Convergence of Unemployment Benefit Schemes in Europe http://www.zew.de/en/projects/1543 One Year After the Introduction of a German Minimum Wage - A Summary http://www.zew.de/en/projects/1541 Evaluation of Reform Options for an Improved Material Security of Children http://www.zew.de/en/projects/1540 Evaluation of the German Contribution to Eurostars 1 http://www.zew.de/en/projects/1526 Meta-Study on the Role of Broadband Internet on Innovation, Productivity and Employment http://www.zew.de/en/projects/1542 For current projects, please visit: http://www.zew.de/en/forschung/projekte 7. EVENTS 7.1. Professional Training 24.-25.02.2016 Scientific Talks - Excellent Science Requires Excellent Presentation Skills Trainer: Barbara Hey (ZEW) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional information: http://www.zew.de/en/weiterbildung/709 7.2. Public Events 01.02.2016 Public Events: Parliamentary Evening - Energy and Climate Policy - Impacts on Germany's Competitiveness Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2277 17.02.2016 ZEW Lunch Debates: Europe's Digital Future: Prospects and Challenges Speaker: Lucilla Sioli, PhD (DG Connect, European Commission), Laurent Zibell, PhD (industriAll European Trade Union) Prof. Dr. Irene Bertschek (ZEW) Location of the event: Representation of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg to the European Union, Rue Belliard 60-62, B-1040 Brussels Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2258 7.3. Scientific Events 17.02.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: International Finance: Framing Effects in Financial Market Expectations Speaker: Zwetelina Iliewa (ZEW) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2293 18.02.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: Dismissal Disputes and Endogenous Sorting Speaker: Gerard Pfann (Maastricht University School of Business and Economics) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2309 24.02.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: International Finance: Politicians' Promotion Incentives and Bank Risk Exposure in China Speaker: Dr. Michael Schroeder (ZEW) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2295 25.-26.02.2016 Workshop: Lab Experiments in Public Economics Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2290 02.03.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: International Finance: Mortgage Choice of Private Borrowers Speaker: Dr. Oliver Lerbs (ZEW) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2297 03.03.2016 Conference: Annual Conference of the Leibniz ScienceCampus 2016 Mannheim Centre for Competition and Innovation (MaCCI) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2226 18.03.2015 Conference: Occupations, Skills, and the Labour Market Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2202 23.03.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: International Finance: Information Policies and Consumer Credit Choices Speaker: David Becker (University of Mannheim) Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2301 30.03.2016 ZEW Research Seminar: International Finance: Career Experiences and Expectations of Professional Forecasters Speaker: Dr. Lena Jaroszek Location of the event: ZEW, Mannheim Additional Information: http://www.zew.de/en/events/2303 For current events, please visit: http://www.zew.de/en/events ____________________________________________________________________ IMPRINT Publisher: Centre for European Economic Research GmbH (ZEW) L 7, 1 - 68161 Mannheim - Germany - http://www.zew.eu Phone +49 621/1235-01 Fax +49 621/1235-255 Seat of the company: Mannheim - Local Court Mannheim HRB 6554 Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board: Theresia Bauer, MdL, Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg Executive Directors: Prof. Dr. Clemens Fuest, Thomas Kohl Editor: Yvonne Braeutigam, yvonne.braeutigam@zew.de E-mail: newsletter-en@zew.de Editorial assistants: Julia Glashauser, Sarah Tiedemann Responsibility: Gunter Grittmann, grittmann@zew.de Legal note: http://www.zew.eu/legalnote You can unsubscribe at any time - online via http://www.zew.de/en/publikationen/zew-periodika/zew-newsletter/zew-newsletter-abmeldung/ - or follow this link: https://mails.zew.de/d?p0000lli000000b0g0000ljq000000000c6ukdiegyk4z7nmnpfhjtfy0000zm000000njn27ei _____________________________________________________________________