Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik

Open Access Published by De Gruyter Oldenbourg

Volume 225 Issue 6

December 2005

Issue of Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik

Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available September 20, 2016

Titelei

Page range: I-II

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September 20, 2016

Abhandlungen / Original Papers

September 20, 2016

Intra- und internationale Spillover-Effekte zwischen den EU-Regionen / Intra- and International Spillovers Across EU Regions

Hans-Friedrich Eckey, Reinhold Kosfeld, Matthias Türck

Page range: 600-621

Abstract

The diffusion of spillovers in the EU regions has often been discussed in recent years. Many studies have dealt with the issue of convergence and divergence. However, the theoretical explanation of spillovers and the effects of the integration on regional interaction have usually been neglected. On the basis of endogenous growth theory we develop a regional production function that explains production with technical knowledge, human capital and regional spillovers. A subsequent spatial econometric analysis shows that the effects of the European integration process on international spillovers are too weak to be proved empirically. The fundamental steps in the integration process carried out in the last fifteen years (single market, monetary union, etc.) have not developed their effectiveness perceptible in respect of regional cooperation so far. From a growth theoretical perspective it is not out of question that it may take several decades before spillovers across neighbouring intercountry EU regions will be measurable.

September 20, 2016

Optimal Taxes and Transfers under Partial Information

Stefan Homburg, Tim Lohse

Page range: 622-629

Abstract

Effective from 2005, benefits for long-term unemployed have been reduced in Germany to the level of social assistance. This measure reflects the view that “all who are able to work, should work” - a view which makes sense only if the government can distinguish the disabled from the productive. In this paper we augment the standard model of optimal taxation, where the government has no information about individual productivities, by this very assumption: Partial information means that the government can distinguish the disabled from the productive, but cannot distinguish among the different productive types. An interesting proposition about the shape of optimal tax-transfer schemes under partial information is derived. Moreover, it is shown that unemployment on the side of the productive poor may still be optimal.

September 20, 2016

Sind betriebliche Bündnisse für Arbeit erfolgreich? / Are ln-plant Alliances for Job Security Successful?

Olaf Hübler

Page range: 630-652

Abstract

This paper uses data from the WSI works council survey in 2003 where detailed information on agreements between employers and employees to secure jobs are available. Firm size and profit effects of company-level agreements are investigated. A major result is that the development of firm size is less favourable in companies with in-plant alliances than in other firms. Interestingly, this result is stronger within the group of successful firms. If we distinguish between several measures our estimation shows that training on-the-job and prolongation of working hours are positively correlated with the objective of job security while pay cuts, reduction of working hours and reorganisation of firms lead to further lay-offs. More ambiguous is the impact of working hours accounts. Our investigations demonstrate that the agreements are more successful if employers or the management suggest an in-plant alliance than works councils or unions. Usually, we observe only short run positive employment effects but in the medium term the effects are negative. Only in the long run the development turns around and in-plant alliances are really successful. Sometimes, renegotiations can help to improve the situation.

September 20, 2016

Forecasting the German Cyclical Turning Points: Dynamic Bi-Factor Model with Markov Switching

Konstantin A. Kholodilin

Page range: 653-674

Abstract

This paper proposes a dynamic bi-factor model with Markov switching which detects and predicts turning points of the German business cycle. It estimates simultaneously the composite leading indicator (CLI) and composite coincident indicator (CCI) together with corresponding probabilities of a recession. According to the bi-factor model, CLI leads CCI by about 3 months at both peaks and troughs. The model-derived recession probabilities of CCI and CLI capture the turning points of the ECRI’s and OECD’s reference cycles much better than the dynamic single-factor model with Markov switching.

September 20, 2016

Identifying the German Inventory Cycle

A Multivariate Structural Time Series Approach Using Survey Data

Erich Langmantel

Page range: 675-687

Abstract

Inventory fluctuations play an important role in the formation of business cycles. In Germany, little research has been dedicated to this topic recently. In this study, a structural time series model in the tradition of Harvey (1989) is employed to decompose German inventory investment into trend, cyclical and seasonal components. The empirical findings are compared with the results of theoretical inventory models. The estimations suggest that the German inventory cycle consists of three sub-cycles with periods of one, three and eight years. The three-year cycle of inventory investment corresponds to the well known “Kitchin” cycle and has a significant impact on GDP fluctuations. Adding the inventory assessment variable from the IFO business survey to the model improves the results. It turns out that the inventory assessment variable has properties of a leading indicator. These findings may be useful to improve macroeconomic forecasting

September 20, 2016

A Note on R&D and Price Elasticity of Demand

Dorothea Lücke, Philipp J.Η. Schröder, Dieter Schumacher

Page range: 688-698

Abstract

This note explores the relationship between the price elasticity of demand and the R&D intensity of the product. We introduce the concept of R&D intensity into a standard Dixit- Stiglitz/Krugman-type setting. R&D activity is treated as a fixed cost of production. Within this framework, sectors with a higher R&D intensity show a lower price elasticity of demand. This proposition is confirmed by an empirical investigation of export demand for manufactured goods from major industrialised countries. Consequently, real exchange rate changes have an impact on the commodity structure of exports.

September 20, 2016

Transfers as a Means to Combat European Spillovers

Dirk T.G. Rübbelke, Eytan Sheshinski

Page range: 699-710

Abstract

In 2004, there was a further enlargement of the European Union. Among the new member countries are eight Central and Eastern European countries. Especially the accession countries located directly at the border to the EU generate significant environmental spillovers harming the Union. These spillovers are mitigated but not deleted by the enlargement regulations. In this paper we will therefore analyze an instrument which may further diminish the spillover problems: transfers, which are conditional on a tightening of environmental policy in the accession countries. The environmental policy considered is the policy of environmental taxation.

September 20, 2016

Buchbesprechungen / Book Reviews

Stephan Kohns, Gerhard D. Kleinhenz

Page range: 711-711

About this journal

The Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik) is a scientific journal published in Germany since 1863. The journal publishes papers in all fields of economics and applied statistics. A specific focus is on papers combining theory with empirical analyses. Papers providing conclusions for economic policy in Europe are particularly welcome. Nevertheless, distinguished papers dealing exlusively with economic theory, empirical models, or economic history, will not be excluded from consideration.

The editors invite replication studies focusing on the robustness of empirical findings. The section Data Observer presents articles on data sets available for empirical research and institutions providing research data. The journal also publishes special issues, short comments, and book reviews. All freely accessible contributions, including the Data Observer articles, can be found via the website's article search functionality.

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Call for Papers

Special Issue on "Sports Economics"

Guest Editors: Bernd Frick, Paderborn University; Thomas Peeters, Erasmus University Rotterdam; Rob Simmons, Lancaster University

Timeline: Submission of full papers November 30, 2023

Further details

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Special Issue on "Advancing Agent-Based Economics"

Guest Editors: Michael Neugart, Technical University of Darmstadt) and Frank Westerhoff, University of Bamberg

Timeline: Submission of full papers December 31, 2023

Further details

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Special Issue on "Central Bank Digital Currency"

Guest Editors: Katrin Assenmacher, European Central Bank and Michael Frenkel, WHU

Timeline: Submission of full papers January 08, 2024

Further details

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Volume 225 Issue 6

Issue of Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik

Titelei

Inhalt des 225. Bandes

Inhalt / Contents

Intra- und internationale Spillover-Effekte zwischen den EU-Regionen / Intra- and International Spillovers Across EU Regions

Abstract

Optimal Taxes and Transfers under Partial Information

Abstract

Sind betriebliche Bündnisse für Arbeit erfolgreich? / Are ln-plant Alliances for Job Security Successful?

Abstract

Forecasting the German Cyclical Turning Points: Dynamic Bi-Factor Model with Markov Switching

Abstract

Identifying the German Inventory Cycle

A Multivariate Structural Time Series Approach Using Survey Data

Abstract

A Note on R&D and Price Elasticity of Demand

Abstract

Transfers as a Means to Combat European Spillovers

Abstract

Buchbesprechungen / Book Reviews