News

Search engines, social networks, comparison and rating portals, and other digital platforms are increasingly transforming our lives. They make intensive use of algorithmic decision-making, especially of machine learning. Those markets in which digital platforms occur as intermediaries or market participants are also increasingly influenced by algorithms and machine learning applications.

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To judge by recent discussions about European industrial policy, Europe has been slow to adopt new digital technologies and is facing terrifying competition from China.

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After a long period of speculation, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank are now actually holding talks about a possible merger of the two banks. This is mainly driven by the political desire to create a national champion in the banking sector that can compete with international players. The problem is, however, that both banks are in an economically ailing condition.

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The ZEW Research Department “Economics of Innovation and Industrial Dynamics” recently created the Junior Research Group “Competition and Innovation” that studies the law and economics of competition and innovation.

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With the education initiative “DigitalPakt Schule”, which promotes the development of digital skills among school students, policymakers are aiming to provide schools across Germany with digital technologies over the course of the next five years. In total, 5.5 billion euros have been earmarked for this purpose. ZEW education economist Friedhelm Pfeiffer explains why equipping schools with digital technologies is crucial and why money alone doesn’t help.

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The 5G mobile network standard is expected to lay the basis for Germany’s digital economy. In November, the country’s Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) approved the proposed rules for allocating 5G frequencies and set out the conditions for the frequency auction, which is scheduled for the spring of 2019. Professor Vitali Gretschko, an expert on market design, discusses the new rules.

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On 12 November 1918, women received the right to vote in Germany. Today, 100 years later, their fight for equal rights continues, perhaps mostly noticeably in the workplace. Female quotas, pay gaps and flexible work models dominate the debate about how to create more equal opportunities for women. ZEW personnel economist Susanne Steffes takes a critical look at the current situation in Germany’s job market and at measures for the equal treatment of men and women.

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In April of 2018, the Federal Constitutional Court declared Germany’s procedure for assessing property tax unconstitutional and ordered the government to adopt policy reforms by the end of 2019. So far, however, politicians have been slow to propose new legislation. Prof. Dr. Sebastian Siegloch, head of ZEW’s Research Department “Social Policy and Redistribution” and professor of economics at the University of Mannheim, argues that property tax assessments should be based on current market values.

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Farmers in some regions of Germany are currently facing crop failures due to the long period of hot, dry weather this summer. Both the federal and state governments want to help the affected farmers by providing them with around 340 million euros in aid. However, ZEW economist Daniel Osberghaus thinks that offering government aid is the wrong strategy and is calling for more sustainable, long-term solutions.

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Following many months of negotiations, Germany’s coalition government has decided to introduce a new housing subsidy scheme, known as “Baukindergeld”. This is a government subsidy primarily targeted at young families wanting to own their own home. Dr. Carolin Schmidt, real estate expert and researcher in the ZEW Research Department “International Finance and Financial Management” answers some key questions about the new subsidy scheme.

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