Unlike most retrospective merger studies that only focus on price effects, we also estimate the impact of a merger on product variety. We use an original dataset on Dutch supermarkets to assess the effect of a merger that was conditionally approved by the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) on prices and the depth of assortment. We find that the merger did not affect prices but it led the merging parties ...
Gert G. Wagner was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on September 3, 2018, by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for his services to the Federal Republic of Germany. The cross was presented on November 19, 2018, by Berlin’s Secretary of State, Christian Gaebler. As a Professor Emeritus, Gert G. Wagner continues to be very active in research and policy work: ...
Jürgen Schupp was re-appointed to the Rat für Kulturelle Bildung (Council for Cultural Education) as an expert for three years until 2021. The Rat für Kulturelle Bildung is an independent advisory board that analyzes the situation and quality of cultural education in Germany and makes recommendations based on exposés and studies for policy makers, researchers, and practical ...
This paper shows that politicians’ pressure to climb the career ladder increases bank risk exposure in their region. Chinese local politicians are set growth targets in their region that are relative to each other. Growth is stimulated by debt-financed programs which are mainly financed via bank loans. The stronger the performance pressure the riskier the respective local bank exposure becomes. This ...
In recent years, there has been growing public and political opposition against the principle of free movement of labor within the European Union. Already before the first EU Eastern enlargement in 2004, potential adverse labor market effects for natives in the old EU Member States were widely discussed. Despite these discussions, there is little ex-post research on the impact of EU Eastern...
The paper analyses the evolution of inequality in Italy from 1989 to 2014, focusing on three business-cycle phases: the 1992 currency crisis, the moderate growth from 1993 to 2007, and the double-dip recession from 2008 to 2013. Data from the national accounts and the Bank of Italy’s Survey on Household Income and Wealth are used. Results show that income inequality, as measured by the...
Europe has been growing ever closer since World War II while simultaneously undergoing impressive political and socio-economic changes. However, Project Europe has rarely lacked challenges or difficulties. DIW Berlin analyses the status quo, identifies necessary reforms, and tries to actively shape European cooperation.
