This paper examines the long-term impact of childhood exposure to aggregate shocks on intertemporal decision-making. Drawing on survey data from 80,000 individuals in 76 countries and exploiting within-country, cross-cohort variation in exposure to natural and man-made disasters, I show that such shocks during childhood significantly reduce patience in adulthood. The effects are concentrated...
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a global economic crisis, leading governments to provide substantial State aid to support firms. This paper examines the effectiveness of Covid-related financial support in Spain and Italy, focusing on its impact on firm recovery. Using a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach combined with propensity score weighting, it compares outcomes of similar firms receiving aid ...
On November 1, 2025, the project “Implementing the local heating transition: Future initiatives for the energy transition in Lüneburg (Wärme-ZIEL)” was launched at DIW Berlin. Over the next two years, the project will explore practical strategies to support the transition toward a climate-neutral heat supply in the Lüneburg region. Its goal is to accelerate the implementation of municipal heat plans, ...
The project “Implementing the local heating transition: Future initiatives for the energy transition in Lüneburg (Wärme-ZIEL)” investigates feasible strategies to support the shift toward a climate-neutral heat supply in the Lüneburg region. The goal is to accelerate the implementation of municipal heat plans, gather feedback from local stakeholders, and develop recommendations and strategies that...
While Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) platforms are a virtual space for raising funds, geography remains relevant. To determine how location matters for entrepreneurs using equity crowdfunding (ECF), we analyze the spatial distribution of successful ECF campaigns and the spatial relationship between ECF campaigns and traditional investors, such as banks and venture capitalists (VCs). Using data from the ...
Academic life is full of challenge and possibility. You get to ask big questions, dive deep into ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s known. But the same environment — with its high expectations and constant deadlines — can leave you stretched thin, stuck in your head, and unsure if you’re doing enough. Neeltje van Horen knows that tension well. As a professor of economics and senior advisor...
Trade conflicts, geopolitical tensions, digital disruption, and the climate crisis pose major challenges for the European Union (EU) and its member states. As called for in the Draghi Report, industrial policy measures can increase competitiveness, strengthen resilience, and facilitate the twin transformation. This article explores ways in which competition policy can be realigned to better accommodate ...
Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is positively associated with health, but these benefits are not equally shared across groups. The Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) framework posits that marginalized groups derive weaker health returns from economic resources than majority populations. Extending this framework to a migration context, this study examines wealth - and debt – health gradients ...
