ZEW Co-Design

Co-Design for Evidence-Based Decision-Making

ZEW Mannheim uses the ZEW Co-Design platform as a link between science and practice. In collaboration with companies and public organisations, we develop scientific insights and practice-relevant solutions. ZEW Co-Design is based on a modern approach to knowledge transfer: Practitioners are involved in the research process from the very outset, beginning with the formulation of the research problem. Working as equal partners, we turn data into insights, exploring questions like:

  • How can we proactively shape our transformation processes and implement them sustainably in the context of evolving market dynamics?  
  • How can we use our resources more efficiently?  
  • How can scientific findings be translated into concrete and beneficial applications in practice?

We invite you to become part of this exciting initiative and to work with us at the intersection of academia and practice to develop forward-looking solutions.

Our Areas of Focus

Get in touch with us!
Email co-design@zew.de

Selected Applied Projects

Gas-Saving Measures in the Energy Crisis

The project investigates how behavioural interventions such as reminders and feedback can further reduce natural gas consumption in private households during periods of high energy prices, even when financial incentives have already been exhausted.

Caritas Energy-Saving Check: Refrigerator Replacement in Low-Income Households

The project examines how financial and behavioural incentives can increase participation in energy efficiency programmes among low-income households. The findings show that support measures need to be specifically tailored to this target group to be effective.

Effective Implementation of Employee Referral Programmes and Impact Measurement

The introduction of an employee referral programme (ERP) was evaluated in a retail grocery chain with 10,000 employees in a field experiment with multiple treatment groups. The strongest effect was that employees felt more appreciated by the company’s management.

Directors

Prof. Dr. Adrian Hillenbrand

Prof. Dr. Adrian Hillenbrand

Senior Researcher

Market Design

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Prof. Dr. Martin Kesternich

Prof. Dr. Martin Kesternich

Research Associate

Environmental and Climate Economics

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Prof. Guido Friebel, PhD

Prof. Guido Friebel, PhD

Research Associate

Market Design

To the profile