[ D] Main Navigation
- 4.0: Home .
- 5.0: Research .
- 6.0: Publications .
- 7.0: Events .
- 8.0: Professional Training .
- 9.0: The ZEW .
- 10.0: Staff .
- 11.0: Career .
- 12.0: Contact .
- 14.0: Print page .
[ D]
20.08.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Economic Sentiment Indicators for Central and Eastern Europe Recover
The economic sentiment indicator CEE which reflects the assessment of the financial market experts regarding the economic development in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on a six months time horizon increases by 9.1 points in August. Thus, the economic expectations reach the 20.5 points mark. The economic expectations for the CEE region are surveyed monthly together with other financial market data by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) with the support of the Erste Group Bank, Vienna.
19.08.2010 - ZEW/CS (gla/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Expectations somewhat more upbeat
Economic Expectations for Switzerland brighten up again somewhat in August. The relevant ZEW-CS- Indicator recorded a gain of 6.9 points, reaching the 9.1 mark. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
17.08.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Slight Decrease
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany drops by 7.2 points in August 2010. The indicator now stands at 14.0 points after 21.2 points in the previous month. This value is below the indicator's historical average of 27.3 points.
11.08.2010 - ZEW (cdi/kbo)
ZEW Survey Among Financial Market Experts - Consolidate and Not Stimulate the Economy
Now is the right time for politicians to change the course from stimulating the economy, e.g. by providing loan and bail-out programmes, to a policy of savings. This is the opinion of 263 financial market experts who were surveyed by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in its monthly ZEW Financial Market Test.
27.07.2010 - ZEW (twa/kbo)
Guidance Programmes and Transfer of Basic Workplace Skills Help Unemployed with Migration Background Finding A New Job Faster
Certain external training measures of the German Job Centres help unemployed people with migration background receiving unemployment benefits (ALG II) to find a new job more quickly. Migrants especially benefit from guidance programmes to help individuals indentify their suitability for certain careers and courses which impart general workplace qualifications. The latter increase the possibility for women with migration background to find a new job by 13 percentage point, compared to a situation without any support. However, measures like job application trainings or a combination of the different measures were largely ineffective or even counterproductive. These are the findings of a study conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The study analyses for the first time for Germany how training measures affect the labour market success of migrants.
26.07.2010 - ZEW (msu/kbo)
Social Software Applications on the Rise in German Businesses
The trend to use social software applications in companies is continuing. Almost 47 percent of firms in the sector service providers of the information society, such as ICT service providers and knowledge-intensive service providers, use social software applications. The share of service providers using, e.g., discussion forums, social networking services, wikis or weblogs has thus risen by eight percentage points since 2009. In May 2009, the share of companies in this sector incorporating social software into their business routine was about 39 percent, while it was only 32 percent in the previous year. These are the results of a survey among service providers of the information society conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, in cooperation with Verband der Vereine Credit Reform, Neuss, in June 2010.
21.07.2010 - ZEW (cgr/kbo)
ZEW-Zephyr M&A-Index - Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Still Bottoming Out
During the second quarter of 2010, worldwide M&A activities have still not yet recovered from their sharp decline following the outbreak of the financial crisis in 2008. The ZEW-Zephyr M&A Index stands at 118 points in June 2010, standing above its starting point of 100 points in January 2000. However, it is still considerably below its long-time average of 126 points. By the end of the first quarter 2010, the Index had reached even 123 points. "Despite positive economic forecasts, M&A activities have not taken off yet", says Dr. Christoph Grimpe, Senior Researcher at ZEW. "There are no signs for an immediate recovery either." The ZEW-Zephyr M&A-Index is calculated every month by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and Bureau van Dijk (BvD). The index tracks the development of mergers and acquisitions transactions conducted worldwide. (Further information on how the Index is calculated can be found at the end of press release).
19.07.2010 - ZEW (pwe/kbo)
New Concept For A More Transparent Pension Plan
Consumers often consider private pension plans not to be transparent. The existing regulation to reveal all costs of pension plan contracts mostly miss the point of comparing different products. Main reasons for this are the complex products and cost structures on the one hand, and too much and insufficient standardised detailed information on the other hand. A higher transparency can be made by the standardisation of information. These are the main findings of a study conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Institute for Financial Services e.V. (iff) and infas Institute for Applied Social Sciences on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Finance.
19.07.2010 - ZEW (alo/tme/kbo)
ZEW Energy Market Barometer - CO2 Reduction of 40 Percent Not Realisable Due To Current German Law
The German government will not be able to reach its goal of reducing the country's CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020, as compared to 1990, due to its current environmental policy. This is the opinion of the vast majority of roughly 200 energy market experts who are regularly asked for their opinion on energy economic issues in the ZEW Energy Market Barometer. (For further information on the Energy Market Barometer, see below.)
16.07.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Cautious Economic Outlook for Central and Eastern Europe
The economic expectations for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) decrease by 9.0 points in July. The CEE indicator which reflects the evaluation of the financial market experts regarding the economic development on a six months time horizon reaches 11.4 points in this month's survey. The economic outlook for the CEE region is surveyed together with other financial market data monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) with the support of the Erste Group Bank, Vienna.
15.07.2010 - ZEW/CS (gla/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Expectations Decline
The ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland declines by 15.3 points in July and is now hovering just slightly in positive territory at the 2.2 mark. After a stable phase since September 2009, the Indicator has now deteriorated considerably for the third consecutive month. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
13.07.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Experts Expect Limited Potential for Further Improvement of the German Economy
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany drops by 7.5 points in July 2010. The indicator now stands at 21.2 points after 28.7 points in the previous month. This value is below the indicator's historical average of 27.4 points.
12.07.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Service Providers of the Information Society - Sector Research and Development Leading in Sales-Related Activities Abroad
Companies in the sector service providers of the information society open up foreign markets in many ways. Around 25 percent of these companies export their services, about 20 percent work with foreign cooperation partners and eleven percent delegate their own employees to foreign countries. Approximately six percent of the companies serve foreign markets via branches and affiliated companies. Companies in the subsector research and development engage in sales-related activities abroad the most.
08.07.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Service Providers of the Information Society - Optimistic Sentiment Among Knowledge-Intensive Service Providers
In the second quarter of 2010, the economic situation of knowledge intensive service providers, including tax consultants, accountants, management consultants, architects, technical consultants and planners, research and development companies and advertising companies, has considerably increased in comparison to the first quarter of 2010. "The reason for the increased optimism is the positive assessment of the current business situation by knowledge intensive service providers," says Miruna Sarbu, researcher at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The positive assessment of the current business situation comes along with optimistic business expectations for the third quarter of 2010. Especially management consultants, technical consultants and planners as well as research and development companies are the driving force for this development.
08.07.2010 - ZEW (tko/wfr/ggr)
Leibniz Association Senate Confirms ZEW As One Of The Leading Economic Research Institutes in Europe
Due to a extraordinary evaluation result, the Leibniz Association Senate has recommended to the German government to promote the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim in the future as institute of national significance and macroeconomic policy interest. The senate stated that "ZEW is a extraordinary successful and promising institute of empiric economic research". According to the senate, ZEW is well visible in Germany and abroad and is one of the leading economic research institutes in Europe. ZEW also sets scientific standards for economic policy advice in Germany.
06.07.2010 - ZEW/RWI/IER (alo/tme/kbo)
Energy Prognosis: Germany to Reach Important Goals in Climate Policy by 2030 - But Has to Face Increasing Risk Regarding Energy Supply
01.07.2010 - ZEW/KfW (alo/kbo)
KfW/ZEW CO2 Barometer - German Companies Not Fit For EU Emissions Trading
The second KfW/ZEW CO2 Barometer indicates that German firms' occupation with the opportunities and risks of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is insufficient. Two thirds of them have not yet analysed the potential costs they will face as of 2013. Emission certificates will then not be distributed cost-free, but will be put up for auction.
28.06.2010 - ZEW (alo/ggr)
ZEW Environmental Economist Andreas Löschel Appointed to Author Team of IPCC Assessment Report on Climate Change
PD Dr. Andreas Löschel is one of 36 climate researchers from Germany contributing their expertise to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report which is to be published between June 2013 and March 2014. Löschel is head of the research department Environmental and Resource Economics at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). He was appointed as lead author of the Fifth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
23.06.2010 - ZEW (hsh/kbo)
Happiness Difference Increases Couples’ Risk of Separation
The probability that a couple splits up is higher if there is a happiness difference between both partners. The risk of separation particularly increases if the woman is less content with life than the man. These are the findings of a recent study by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim.
22.06.2010 - ZEW (che/ggr)
ZEW/ProgTrans Survey Among Transport Market Experts - Increasing Transport Volume and Prices Expected For Next Six Months
In the next six months, an increase in transport volume and prices is expected for the German transport market. This is the finding of the ProgTrans/ZEW Transportmarkt Barometer (Transport Market Barometer) in the second quarter of 2010. ProgTrans AG, Basel, and the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, survey about 300 transport market experts every three months to assess the development on the transport markets.
22.06.2010 - ZEW (mko/kbo)
ZEW Survey Among Financial Market Experts - Trend Goes Towards Social Banking
Banks with a business strategy aiming at social, ethic and ecological goals are going to increase their market shares in Germany. This is mainly due to an increasing public interest in social and ecological topics. Another reason is the uncertainty of bank customers due to the financial crisis and the resulting mistrust towards investment strategies of traditional banks. These are the findings of the latest survey among 236 financial market experts, conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim.
18.06.2010 - ZEW (fmo/kbo)
American Economist Receives Heinz König Young Scholar Award
Endowed With Prize Money of Euro 5,000
The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim awarded the Heinz König Young Scholar Award for the seventh time. This year the award goes to Xuguang Sheng from the USA. Sheng is conducting research on the relation between economic uncertainty and the varying economic outlooks by experts. Shen is a lecturer at the American University in Washington D.C..
17.06.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Ban (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Economic Expectations for Central and Eastern Europe Decline
The economic expectations in the CEE-region decrease by 14.8 points to 20.4 points in June. 40.9 percent of the financial market experts continue to expect an improvement of the business cycle in the CEE region within the next six months. The CEE indicator which reflects the evaluation of the economic expectations in Central and Eastern Europe on a six months time horizon is surveyed together with other financial market data monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research, Mannheim, with the support of the Erste Group Bank, Vienna.
16.06.2010 - ZEW/CS (lja/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Expectations Continue to Diminish
Once again the ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland diminishes considerably in June. The relevant ZEW-CS-Indicator lost ground by 23.0 points and is now hovering at the 17.5 mark. After a stable phase since September 2009, the Indicator has now deteriorated considerably for the second consecutive month. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
15.06.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Economic Recovery Slows Down
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany drops by 17.1 points in June 2010. The indicator now stands at 28.7 points after 45.8 points in the previous month. This value is slightly above the indicator's historical average of 27.4 points.
10.06.2010 - ZEW (alo/ggr)
Lion’s Share At Profits In Billions From Lifetime Extension Of Nuclear Power Plants Will Remain With Operators
Operators of nuclear power plants would receive profits in billions, if the lifetime of nuclear power plants were extended. The German government expects to get their share from these extra profits. However, that is not very likely. These are the findings of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer conducted in May 2010. The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) conducts the Energy Market Barometer every six months and surveys some 200 energy experts from research and practise about their opinion on the development on the energy markets.
09.06.2010 - ZEW (fsr/pwe)
Tighter Regulations for Institutional Investors’ Open Property Funds Seem Reasonable
Continuing liquidity problems appear to have caused German open property funds to freeze about one third of their invested assets, i.e., about 26 billion Euro. The German Federal Ministry of Finance is currently discussing a bill which is to help German open property funds limit excessively high short-term outflows of liquidity. The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim has conducted a survey among financial market experts regarding these tighter regulations.
01.06.2010 - ZEW (bmu/kbo)
ZEW Study On Employment Development Of Academic Spinoffs
26.05.2010 - ZEW (bar/kbo)
Donors Choosing Recipients Themselves Are More Generous
Donors tend to be more generous if they can choose the recipients or purpose of their donations by themselves. This is confirmed by a field experiment the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) and the University of Bonn arranged. The experiment was conducted in 57,325 households in Germany. The findings indicate that it is worth while for charitable organisations to give their donors a certain scope for decision-making.
25.05.2010 - ZEW (fpf/kbo)
Huge Problems For Disconnected Young People in Germany
There are 130,000 "disconnected" young people between the ages 17 and 19 living in Germany. And this percentage is on the rise. Disconnected youths do not receive sufficient financial and emotional support from their families, do not attend school, do not work and do not have lasting friendships. This causes huge problems for these teenagers and the society. Many disconnected youths do not graduate from school or complete an apprenticeship. They have many difficulties in learning the rules of society, and therefore face the danger of being permanently excluded. These are the findings of a study conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The study analyses the extent and the most important reasons for youth disconnectedness in Germany.
21.05.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (lja/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Optimistic Economic Expectations for Central and Eastern Europe
The economic indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) increases by 7.2 points to 35.2 points in May. According to the financial market experts, the CEE region seems to be only marginally affected by the uncertainty regarding the debt crisis of certain Eurozone countries. The CEE indicator is conducted monthly together with further financial market data by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, with support from the Erste Group Bank, Vienna. It reflects the assessment of the economic expectations for the CEE region on a six months time horizon.
20.05.2010 - ZEW/CS (gla/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Lower Economic Expectations
The ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland declines by 12.9 points, reaching the 40.5 mark in May 2010. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
19.05.2010 - ZEW (kbo/tko)
Baden-Wuerttemberg Supports Economic Top Level Research At ZEW With Three Million Euro
The state government of Baden-Wuerttemberg is financing a landmark project at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim to strengthen the economic top level research. In 2010 and 2011, the research programme "Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies" (SEEK) will be financed with a total of three million euro.
18.05.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Debt Crisis slows down Expectations
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany drops by 7.2 points in May 2010. The indicator now stands at 45.8 points after 53.0 points in the previous month. This value is well above the indicator's historical average of 27.4 points.
07.05.2010 - ZEW (kbo/wfr)
ZEW President Wolfgang Franz Holds Heinrich Hertz Guest Professorship
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz, President of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, and Chairman of the German Council of Economic Experts, now holds the Heinrich Hertz Guest Professorship, which is awarded annually by the Karlsruher Universitätsgesellschaft and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The Heinrich Hertz Guest Professorship is awarded to outstanding personalities in science, business, culture and politics for their contributions to research and society and pays tribute to the important physicist Heinrich Hertz who discovered electromagnetic waves.
05.05.2010 - ZEW (kbo/tko)
ZEW Annual Report Published - ZEW Assures Its Position as One of the Leading European Economic Research Institutes
In times of the global financial and economic crisis, the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim continued to have stable profits in the business year 2009. The Annual Report 2009 indicates that the Institute's profits have declined slightly to 15.09 million euro. However, external funds still account for 40 percent of ZEW's financial resources, the same percentage as in the previous year.
28.04.2010 - ZEW (ssc/kbo)
ZEW Survey Among Financial Market Experts - Experts Favour Regulation of Credit Default Swaps
Speculations with credit default swaps (CDS) are suspected to have intensified the Greek debt problem. To make speculations with CDS more difficult in the future, financial market experts are in favour of stricter regulations of CDS trade. These are the findings of a survey among 268 financial market experts, conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim.
27.04.2010 - ZEW (tty/kbo)
China Currently Dominates Global Market for Initial Public Offerings
After two years of stagnation, an increase of initial public offerings by firms can currently be noticed. In the time between January and the beginning of March 2010, 200 firms dared to go public. In comparison: international trade centres reported 864 initial public offerings throughout 2009. Especially exchanges in China and other Asian countries like Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore or Korea gain momentum again. In Europe on the other hand, the business of initial public offerings is still not doing well. These are the findings of an analysis conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The analysis is based on the Zephyr database by Bureau van Dijk (BvD) containing detailed information on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and private equity transactions worldwide.
26.04.2010 - ZEW (cgr/kbo)
ZEW-Zephyr M&A-Index - Hope of a Quick Recovery of Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions is Illusory
The ZEW-Zephyr M&A-Index declines to 110 points in March 2010, standing above its starting point of 100 points in January 2000. However, it now stands considerably below its long-time average of 126 points. In December 2009, the index stood at 134 points.
23.04.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Ban (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)- Economic Expectations for CEE Remain at a Positive Level despite the Current Decrease
The economic expectations for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) decrease by 9.3 points to 28.0 points in April. Thus, the CEE economic sentiment indicator remains positive. The majority of financial market experts (48.0 percent) expect an unchanged development of the business cycle on a six month horizon. The CEE indicator is conducted monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, with the support from the Erste Group Bank, Vienna.
22.04.2010 - ZEW/CS (lja/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Outlook Almost Unchanged
In April the ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland paints a nearly unchanged picture of the prospects for the Swiss economy on a six month time frame. Economic expectations edged down marginally by 0.4 points to the 53.4 mark. Thus, the ongoing sideways trend hovering at a relatively high level the last few months continues to prevail. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
21.04.2010 - ZEW (mgw/kbo)
Algo-Trading Involves Risks for Stability on Financial Markets
Algo trading, i.e. computerized trading of stocks based on clearly defined algorithms, is on the rise at the stock markets. This involves many risks for the financial markets. This is the finding of a current survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. In total, 193 financial market experts were surveyed.
20.04.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Outlook Improves Considerably
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany increases by 8.5 points in April 2010. The indicator now stands at 53.0 points after 44.5 points in the previous month. This value is well above the indicator's historical average of 27.3 points.
19.04.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Service Providers of the Information Society - For the Development and Offer of Own Services, Businesses Only Hesitantly Rely on Internet Platforms
Internet-based technologies and services are used diversely among the businesses in the economic sector service providers of the information society. Thus, internet platforms for the development and the offer of own applications and services meet with only little approval. In contrast, for the vast majority of the businesses, the occasional or even intensive usage of communication- and online-information services goes without saying.
15.04.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/kbo)
Service Providers of the Information Society - Economic Situation Remains Stable for Service Providers of the Information Society
The economic situation among companies in the economic sector service providers of the information society overall remains stable in the first quarter of 2010. The current business situation receives slightly poorer evaluations compared to the previous quarter. However, survey participants expect the economic situation to improve in the second quarter of 2010.
15.04.2010 - ZEW (mbo/ggr)
Number of Mergers and Acquisitions in Greece Considerably Declines
The number and the volume of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Greece are declining considerably. In 2008, there were 153 M&A transactions with a value of seven billion euros. In 2009, however, the number of transaction has declined to 102 and the volume has decreased to four billion euros. These are the findings of a survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). The survey is based on the Zephyr database by Bureau van Dijk (BvD), which includes detailed information on mergers and acquisitions worldwide.
14.04.2010 - ZEW (kbo/mva)
Internet Users Benefit from Prioritised Data Transport
Currently the question is raised if all data sent online are still going to be treated in the same manner or if certain data are going to be prioritised in the future. Internet providers like Google, Amazon or eBay as well as many internet users and internet activists think that the responsibility to maintain the status quo lies with the government. The status quo guaranteeing net neutrality, i.e. equal treatment of data on the internet, regardless of content, sender and urgency, is to be laid down in law. An analysis by researcher Dr. Margit Vanberg at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) indicates, however, that internet users in particular could benefit from prioritised data transport.
22.03.2010 - ZEW (kre/kbo)
New European Union Energy Label Slows Down Sales of Energy-Saving Appliances
The European Commission makes a second attempt to introduce a new energy label for electric appliances. This label is to encourage the European consumers to buy energy-saving appliances. However, there are some signs that the second attempt will not be successful either. If an appliance carries the new energy label instead of the existing European Energy Label, low energy consumption does not have a great impact on the consumer decision. Consumers are not willing to pay more for an energy-saving appliance if it is labelled with the new energy label. These are the findings of a study by Stefanie Heinzle and Rolf Wüstenhagen (University of St. Gallen) within the research project seco@home that is coordinated by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim. The study compares TV sets with the existing European Energy Label and the new energy label as well as the labels' impacts on consumers.
19.03.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Positive Economic Expectations
The economic sentiment indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE region) increases in March by 16.8 points to 37.3 points. The CEE indicator is conducted monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, with the support from the Erste Group Bank, Vienna. It reflects the assessment of the economic development for the CEE region on a six months time horizon.
18.03.2010 - ZEW/CS (gla/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Expectations Brighten Up
The ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland brightens up by 1.3 points to the 53.8 mark in March. This reveals the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
17.03.2010 - ZEW (mac/ggr)
ZEW/ProgTrans Survey Among Transport Market Experts - Stable To Slightly Increasing Prices Expected
In most sectors of German transport, an increase in transport volume and stable to slightly increasing prices are expected for the next six months. Especially the slightly increasing fuel prices and the stable development of transport volume influence the increase in prices. The latter gives transport companies a little scope to increase prices in markets in which there was a lot of competition due to overcapacities. This is the finding of the ProgTrans/ZEW Transportmarkt Barometer (Transport Market Barometer) in the first quarter 2010. ProgTrans AG, Basel, and the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, survey about 300 transport market experts to assess the development on the transport markets.
16.03.2010 - ZEW (cdi/fmo/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Expectations Almost Unaltered
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany moved sidewards in March 2010. The indicator now stands at 44.5 points after 45.1 points in the previous month. This value is well above the indicator's historical average of 27.2 points.
10.03.2010 - ZEW/KfW (mni/gli)
MittelstandsMonitor 2010: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Stabilised Economy During Crisis
04.03.2010 - ZEW (hsh/kbo)
High Percentage of Unemployed Immigrants Hardly Lowers the German Population’s Approval of Unemployment Benefits
The unemployment benefits by the government enjoy a high level of approval by the German population. A high percentage of unemployed immigrants does not change this fact. An increase in the percentage of unemployed immigrants by one percentage point lowers the approval of unemployment benefits by the government by only 0.014 points on a scale from zero to five. This is the finding of a study conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. The study analyses the relation between the regional percentage of unemployed immigrants and the general approval of German citizens towards unemployment benefits by the government.
01.03.2010 - ZEW (ggr)
Professor Franz’s Contract As ZEW President Extended For Another Two Years
Professor Wolfgang Franz is going to be President of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim beyond 2011. The ZEW Supervisory Board decided to extend his contract until 2013.
25.02.2010 - ZEW (jme/ggr)
Service Providers - Social Software User More Innovative
Social software will again be an important topic at CeBit 2010. The use of social software applications is still subject of controversial public discussion. Some argue that wikis, blogs and other online social networks for firms distract employees from their jobs. Others consider social software an important impulse for a firm's success. The latter has been proven by a survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim. The survey indicates that service providers using social software applications are more innovative than firms not using social software apps (ZEW Discussion Paper No. 09-046).
22.02.2010 - ZEW (bpe/kbo)
Innovation Survey 2009 for Germany: Innovation Expenditures Drop After Record High in 2008 – Investments in R&D Mostly Unaffected
Firms in Germany curb expenses for innovation due to the economic crisis. After the innovation expenditures increased to a high level of 128.1 billion euro in 2008, a decline by ten percent in 2009 and stagnation on this considerably lower level are to be expected in 2010. Good news is, however, that firms have largely spared the investments for Research and Development as they are especially important for the long-term competitiveness. These are the findings from the recently published Innovation Survey 2009 for Germany. The survey is conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim in collaboration with Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research and infas (Institute for Applied Social Sciences) by a mandate of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
22.02.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Green IT - A Lot of Unused Potential for Increasing the Energy Efficiency in Companies
"Green IT" is often discussed in the current climate debate. This leads to the impression that companies are influenced by aspects like energy efficiency and environmental protection when using information technologies (IT). The findings of a survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim and Creditreform indicate that this is only sometimes the case. The survey analyses around 900 companies with a particularly high usage of IT.
19.02.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Economic Expectations for Central and Eastern Europe Decline
The economic expectations for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE region) decline by 38.6 points to 20.5 points in February. Nevertheless, the ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator remains in the positive range. The indicator reflects the expectations of the financial market experts regarding the economic development in the CEE region on a six month time horizon. It is calculated on a monthly basis by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, with support from the Erste Group Bank, Vienna. The decline of the indicator can be put into perspective by the fact that the share of survey participants expecting an unchanged economic development in the CEE region within the next half year increases 10.2 percentage points to 34.7 percent. These answers are not incorporated into the calculation of the sentiment indicator.
18.02.2010 - ZEW (kbo/tme)
ZEW Energy Market Barometer: Energy Prices at Standstill Until Mid 2010 – Medium-Term Increase of Prices Expected
Energy wholesale, industrial firms and larger business enterprises, local authorities and other ultimate consumers with high energy needs can expect stable energy prices in Germany until mid 2010. In the next five years, the wholesale customers have to expect increasing prices for ail, coal, gas and electricity. Despite the economic crisis, the long-term trend towards increasing energy prices is continuing. These are the findings of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer. The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, conducts a survey about the developments on the energy markets among around 200 energy market experts from research and industry.
18.02.2010 - ZEW/CS (fmo/kbo)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Expectations Edge Down Slightly
The ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland declines by 3.7 points, reaching the 52.5 mark in February. However, the indicator still continues to hover at a relatively high level. This is revealed by the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
16.02.2010 - ZEW (ssc/mko/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Expectations Diminish Slightly
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany decreased by 2.1 points in February 2010. The indicator now stands at 45.1 points after 47.2 points in the previous month. This value is well above the indicator's historical average of 27.1 points.
05.02.2010 - ZEW (kbo/tko)
Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Finance Appoints General Director Klaus Tappeser to ZEW Supervisory Board
Klaus Tappeser, General Director at Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts, was appointed to the Supervisory Board of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. His predecessor, Dr. Dietrich Birk, State Secretary at Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts, resigned from his office at the end of January 2010. Dr. Heribert Knorr, Head of Section at Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts, was appointed Mr Tappeser's deputy in the ZEW Supervisory Board.
04.02.2010 - ZEW/Microsoft (gli/gme/ggr)
Founders of High-Tech Start-Ups Become Older – Downwards Trend Cannot Be Compensated by More Start-ups Founded by Older Entrepreneurs Germany’s founders of high-tech start-ups become older.
Founders of High-Tech Start-Ups Become Older – Downwards Trend Cannot Be Compensated by More Start-ups Founded by Older Entrepreneurs Germany's founders of high-tech start-ups become older. This is the finding of a study published today, which was conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim and Microsoft Germany.
26.01.2010 - ZEW (cgr/kbo)
ZEW-ZEPHYR M&A-Index - Mergers and Acquisitions at Record Low in 2009 – Rebound Emerging in 2010
Worldwide activities in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) collapsed dramatically in 2009. Only about 18,500 mergers and acquisitions with majority interests and a total capacity of almost one trillion euro took place in 2009. Therefore, 2009 was the year with the lowest turnovers in this decade. In 2007, more than 22,800 mergers and acquisitions with a total capacity of 1.8 trillion euro took place due to the good economic situation. "In total, the M&A activities increased considerably in the forth quarter of 2009 and therefore improved the bad balance sheet of 2009", explains Dr. Christoph Grimpe, Senior Researcher at ZEW.
25.01.2010 - ZEW (mko/ggr)
ZEW Survey Among Financial Market Experts Draw Conclusion of Financial Crisis - Changes in Supervisory Board Structure Mandatory
The banks' supervisory boards have not fulfilled their control function properly over the last few years and therefore are partly responsible for the crisis on the financial markets. The government definitely has to improve the supervisory board structure in banks. Priorities lie on higher requirements regarding the qualification and experience of board members, a limited number of mandates held by each board member and reinforcing the rights on information of the supervisory board towards the board of directors. A longer retention period when changing from the board of directors to the supervisory board is to be considered. These are the clear findings of a current survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim among 222 financial market experts within the monthly ZEW financial market test.
22.01.2010 - ZEW/ Erste Group Bank (mbo/kbo)
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - Economic Expectations for Central and Eastern Europe Remain Optimistic
The ZEW-Erste Group Bank Sentiment Indicator CEE that reflects the business outlook for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) increases by 7.1 points to 59.1 points in January. 67.3 percent of the polled financial market experts expect the economic situation to improve in the region till mid of the year.
The CEE Indicator is calculated monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, with support from the Erste Group Bank, Vienna. It reflects the assessment of the economic development for the CEE region on a six months time horizon.
21.01.2010 - ZEW/CS (gla/ggr)
ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic expectations brighten up slightly in January
The ZEW-CS-Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Switzerland edged up in January 2010 by 2.2 points, reaching the 56.2 mark. The current rise outweighs the indicator's slight decline noted in December 2009. This reveals the current Financial Market Test Switzerland, carried out monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).
19.01.2010 - ZEW (ssc/mko/kbo)
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Recovery Slows Down Somewhat
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany decreased by 3.2 points in January 2010. The indicator now stands at 47.2 points after 50.4 points in the previous month. This value is still well above the indicator's historical average of 27.1 points.
18.01.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Service Providers of the Information Society - Companies deploy Green IT primarily in order to reduce operating costs
The term Green IT includes apart from the energy efficient and environmentally friendly production and disposal of information and communication technology (ICT) also the reduction of emissions via the use of ICT. Meanwhile, more than half of the companies of the economic sector service providers of the information society use telephone conferences as a substitute for business trips. For this purpose, a whole series of companies falls back on net-meetings and video conferences. The greatest advantage of Green IT for the companies is the reduction of operating costs, followed by gains in efficiency and productivity as well as the positive effects with regard to the image of the company. This is the result of a business survey among service providers of the information society, conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research in cooperation with the credit reference agency Creditreform, Neuss, in December 2009 (details regarding the survey are provided below).
14.01.2010 - ZEW/Creditreform (msu/ggr)
Service Providers of the Information Society - Economic Sentiment among ICT Service Providers and Knowledge Intensive Service Providers Further Improves
The economic situation among companies in the economic sector service providers of the information society further improves. Companies in this economic sector overall expect a positive development in the first quarter of 2010. Moreover, the current business situation receives better evaluations than in mid 2009.
