When speculative price bubbles on real estate markets burst, the results are often distortions in the real economy, associated with substantial losses in production and employment. This paper discusses the degree to which institutional frameworks can prevent speculative bubbles from forming and expanding. Comparing experiences in different countries, it shows that in Germany institutional regulations ...
Preferences for transport activities are often considered only in terms of time and money. Whilst congestion in automobile traffic increases costs by raising trip durations, the same is less obvious in public transport (PT), especially rail-based. This has lead many economic analyses to conclude that there exists a free lunch by reducing the attractiveness of automobile transport at no (or little) ...
Studies on health effects of unemployment usually neglect spillover effects on spouses. This study specifically investigates the effect of an individual's unemployment on the mental health of their spouse. In order to allow for causal interpretation of the estimates, it focuses on plant closure as entry into unemployment, and combines difference-in-difference and matching based on entropy balancing ...
The German Bundestag’s Study Commission on Growth, Wellbeing, and Quality of Life completed its work (Final Report Part1 & Part 2). Contrary to public expectations and media commentary, the Commission achieved its main goal: to relativize the importance of economic indicators, most prominently gross domestic project (GDP), in the public and political discussion. The Study Commission ...
Abstract: In this paper we introduce a new IV strategy based on IVF induced fertility variation in infertile families to estimate the causal effect of children on their parents' labor supply using the census of IVF treated women(and spouses) in Denmark. Because the observed chances of IVF success do not depend on the labor market histories of women before they enter the IVF treatment, IVF...
Following a series of food scandals, consumer confidence in the industry has been shaken. However, criticism has not only been directed at the industry itself, but also at the providers of quality seals who were so quick to certify the products. There are increasing calls for improved transparency and, with regard to organization and the rules of certification, more transparency does indeed make ...
Youth unemployment in Germany has fallen to its lowest level since German reunification. Between 2005 and 2012, unemployment among under 25 year olds has more than halved. By international standards, Germany is in an exceptionally good position. Nowhere in Europe is youth unemployment lower. However, this is not so much due to structural improvements or positive labor market growth than to demographic ...
