Research at ZEW

ZEW conducts evidence-based economic policy research on a range of high-visibility topics, including the digital transformation, European integration, and the energy transition.

These are tackled by ZEW’s research units.

Current Publications

Contributions to Edited Volumes and Conference Proceedings // forthcoming

KI – die nächste digitale Revolution, die vor Deutschland haltmacht?
Refereed Journal // forthcoming

The Long-Term Earnings Effects of a Credit Market Disruption
Non-Refereed Journal // forthcoming

Industriepolitik in Europa mit Wettbewerb verbinden

Current projects

Laufende Projekte

  1. Project // 01.06. – 31.12.2026

    Agentic AI in firms: An experimental study

    The current rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) present firms with the challenge of swiftly weighing up the potential efficiency gains offered by new technologies against their often…

    01.06. – 31.12.2026
    Digital Economy
  2. Project // 01.04.2026 – 31.03.2027

    Firm Dynamics in the Knowledge Economy – Indicator Study 2027

    The aim of the project is to investigate business dynamism in Germany, with a special focus on the knowledge-intensive industries. Thereby, the study investigates and compares different sectors and federal states…

    01.04.2026 – 31.03.2027
    Economics of Innovation and Industrial...
  3. Project // 01.04.2026 – 31.03.2030

    ZEW Webpanel

    In this research project, we are developing and testing the use of website information to measure innovation and technological developments. To this end, we analyze the websites of all companies and other…

    01.04.2026 – 31.03.2030
    Economics of Innovation and Industrial...
  4. Project // 01.04.2026 – 31.03.2029

    Changing the Geography of Emissions and Production through Industrial Policy in Europe

    Recent years have been characterized by overlapping policy challenges: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and resulting energy crisis and increasing geopolitical tension, as well as the escalating climate crisis.…

    01.04.2026 – 31.03.2029
    Environmental and Climate Economics
  5. Project // 01.04. – 31.10.2026

    Scaling Sovereign Digital Innovations – Is There a Structural Gap in Innovation Policy in Germany and the EU?

    The aim of the planned project is to examine whether there is a structural gap in Germany and Europe regarding the support for scaling sovereign digital innovations. Within the scope of the project, innovation…

    01.04. – 31.10.2026
    Digital Economy
  6. Project // 01.03. – 31.10.2026

    Innovation Indicators for Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals 2026

    The aim of this study is to update a report on key innovation indicators for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In a concise way, the study offers an overview on the state and recent developments in…

    01.03. – 31.10.2026
    Economics of Innovation and Industrial...