News

In 2019, ZEW launches seven new projects as part of the international research programme “Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies” (SEEK). In these projects ZEW researchers will analyse the specific aspects of European economic development and shed light on the conditions for intelligent, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

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Living standards in Europe vary considerably both within and between the EU Member States. What measures can be taken to counteract these discrepancies on a European and on a national level? Numerous suggestions have been made as to how sustainable, stable growth might be achieved in the eurozone. Would all of these solutions prove to be successful? Which instruments might be implemented in order to achieve effective fiscal and economic governance within the eurozone? In many areas, digital markets and platforms are becoming evermore important. What are the mechanisms behind them and how are they influencing competition and the labour market? These are the questions being addressed in three new SEEK research projects, begun in April 2016.

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The differences between the various national economies in the Eurozone are becoming ever more pronounced. Whilst the economic cycle in Germany becomes increasingly stable, countries such as Greece and Portugal are still facing the effects of national debt crises. This year's annual SEEK conference, held by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) from 8 to 9 October in Mannheim, was thus entitled "Overcoming the Crisis: How to Foster Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a Diverging European Economy?". Participants considered how investments in innovation and entrepreneurship might help to close the growing gap between the various European national economies. On the first day of the conference, high-profile speakers from the fields of politics and economics discussed the main areas, on which policy made in Brussels may draw, in order to actively promote innovation in Europe. Speakers included Peter Praet, Chief Economist of the European Central Bank (ECB), and Mario Monti, former Prime Minister of Italy.

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Within the last few decades, rising environmental concerns have forced policy-makers to act in an effort to mitigate further harm. Yet though green-house gas emissions and the wasteful use of natural resources are detrimental to the environment, policy-makers are reluctant to enact any green legislation that might undermine national competitiveness. Many now see the solution to lie in the development of new environmental technologies, which promise to address environmental problems while maintaining competitiveness. The effects of environmental technology on competitiveness are addressed in this ZEW study.

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Fiscal policy and public debt, inequalities in income and wealth across Europe, and perspectives on a European fiscal union – these topics were central to the fourth conference of the research programme SEEK (Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies) hosted by ZEW on May 15 and 16, 2014. The SEEK special edition of the ZEWnews gives an overview of the event with more than 150 international attendees from the political, economic and academic sphere. The issue offers a summary of all presentations, among them the lectures by the former Federal Minister of Finance Hans Eichel and the former Minister of Finance of Portugal, Prof. Vítor Gaspar. It also features the keynote speech given by Prof. Thomas Piketty, Paris School of Economics, whose book “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” has been in the international bestseller lists for months.

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The third international BIBB/IAB/ZEW Conference titled "Changing Tasks – Consequences for Inequality" took place at the IAB in Nuremberg from May 26 to 28, 2014. The conference was co-financed under the international research programme "Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies" (SEEK) at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW).

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Since the start of the new millennium, China has been one of the big players in globalisation. What challenges does the German economy face as a result of the increasing competitiveness of Chinese firms in the realm of technology? What are the opportunities and risks associated with collaborations between Chinese companies and research institutions?

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How can EU member states achieve fiscal consolidation without putting at risk economic growth and social inclusion? How could a regulatory framework for the European fiscal union look like, and what is to be done to prevent growing income and wealth inequality in Europe? The fourth Annual Conference of the SEEK (Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies) research programme at ZEW addressed these questions on May 15-16.

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Fiscal policy and public debt, income and wealth inequality in Europe, the prospects for a European fiscal union – these topics are at the heart of current academic and policy debates against the backdrop of the euro crisis. The fourth annual conference of the SEEK (Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies) research programme at ZEW on May 15 and 16, 2014, will address these issues. Professor Thomas Piketty, Paris School of Economics, will deliver a keynote speech on May 16, 11:30 a.m. Piketty’s book "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" has jumped onto the New York Times bestseller list and is the current No. 1 on Amazon in the US. In his keynote, Piketty will discuss his book, in which he issues a warning about the growing gulf between rich and poor. Professor Andreas Peichl, head of ZEW's Research Group "International Distribution and Redistribution", will host the subsequent discussion.

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The review process of proposals submitted for the fifth call for projects in the SEEK research programme has been completed. Six new projects started on April 1, 2014. In a rigorous selection process, an expert committee of renowned researchers assessed 26 high-quality project proposals and finally approved six submissions. The projects were selected for the SEEK research programme due to their extraordinary scientific quality and originality, and because of the high level of international cooperation and exchange among the researchers involved. In all project teams ZEW researchers co-operate closely with internationally distinguished colleagues. Against the backdrop of the European economic and financial crisis, demand is higher than ever for economic expertise and independent, scientifically grounded policy advice. The 2014 SEEK projects thus focus on the central topic "Overcoming the Crisis in Europe". Their target is to deepen our understanding of the crisis and to provide politicians and decision-makers with empirical, science-based expertise.

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