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on German Papers |
| By: | Arthur Korus (Europäisches Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (EIIW)) |
| Abstract: | In 2007 the European Commission declared, with its Lead Market Initiative, an intention to expand the market for renewable energies into a lead market. Through targeted support measures on a supranational as well as on a national level, a lead market for renewable energies shall, or rather should, emerge in the European Union. Based upon various indicators, the present study analyzes the fields of wind energy and photovoltaic to see if they have developed into lead markets. It is shown that a lead market for wind power exists in Denmark. Thus, Denmark, where wind energy accounts for 39% of gross electricity generation, is the world leader in wind energy. Furthermore, it is shown that Germany can also be designated as a lead market for wind energy. However, planned amendments to the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) endanger Germany’s position as a lead market in the field of wind power. The lead markets for photovoltaic power are arguably to be found outside of Europe. The analysis contained herein shows that the USA and China can be considered as lead markets for photovoltaic power. Moreover, in the present study the expenditures for Research & Development, as well as patent applications in the area of renewable energies are discussed. It is found that in this context, within Europe, Germany performs well. |
| Keywords: | Renewable energies, Wind energy, Photovoltaic, German Renewable Energy Act, Lead markets, Lead market initiative |
| JEL: | Q42 Q55 Q58 |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bwu:eiiwdp:disbei225&r=ger |
| By: | Arnold, Daniel; Arntz, Melanie; Gregory, Terry; Steffes, Susanne; Zierahn, Ulrich |
| Abstract: | Der technologische Wandel erlaubt es zunehmend, Wertschöpfungsprozesse automatisiert und digital gestützt zu erbringen. Diese Digitalisierung und Automatisierung ist im Produktionsbereich beispielsweise gekennzeichnet durch sich zunehmend selbststeuernde Anlagen und Roboter bis hin zu vollautomatisierten und mit anderen vor- und nachgelagerten Geschäftsbereichen vernetzten "Smart Factories" (Industrie 4.0). Im Dienstleistungsbereich sorgen analog intelligente Software und Algorithmen mit Hilfe großer Datenmengen und Internetschnittstellen für die Digitalisierung und Automatisierung von Geschäftsprozessen. Zum Einsatz kommen etwa Analysetools mit Big Data, Cloud-Computing-Systeme oder Online-Plattformen. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser technologischen Entwicklungen - oftmals Technologien der 4. Industriellen Revolution genannt - werden in der öffentlichen Debatte vermehrt Befürchtungen laut, dass in Zukunft viele Arbeitsplätze überflüssig werden könnten. Dieses Szenario einer "technologischen Arbeitslosigkeit" wird von Studien aus den USA gestützt, nach denen jeder zweite Arbeitsplatz gefährdet ist (Frey und Osborne, 2013). Für Politik und Gesellschaft drängen sich damit eine Reihe von Fragen auf: Führt die Automatisierung und Digitalisierung tatsächlich zum Abbau von Arbeitsplätzen? Welche Arbeitsplätze sind gefährdet? Wie verändern sich die Arbeitsprozesse und -inhalte im Zuge des Wandels? Wie verändern sich Qualifikations- und Kompetenzanforderungen? Besteht Anpassungsbedarf zur Sicherung der Beschäftigungsfähigkeit von Arbeitnehmern/-innen? Dieser Policy Brief fasst zentrale Erkenntnisse und Einschätzungen aus Sicht der Wissenschaft und den am ZEW entstandenen Arbeiten zusammen. |
| Abstract: | Technological change is increasingly turning the value chain into an automated and digitalised process. The digitalisation and automation of manufacturing processes is characterised by the use of increasingly autonomous systems and robots, as well as fully automated smart factories (Industry 4.0), which are interconnected with upstream and downstream business divisions. Similarly, service providers have been increasingly using intelligent software and algorithms which help digitalise and automate business processes on the basis of large data volumes and web interfaces. To this effect, businesses make use of big data analysis software, cloud computing systems or online platforms, to name but a few examples. In view of these technological developments, or so-called technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, many concerns have been voiced in the public debate about how numerous jobs might become redundant in the future. This scenario of a "technological unemployment" is supported by U.S. studies, which suggest that 50 per cent of jobs are at risk of being replaced by new digital technologies (Frey and Osborne, 2013). This raises a number of questions among decision-makers and the general public: Is it true that automation and digitalisation will result in major job losses? And if so, which jobs are at risk? In what way are technological developments changing work processes and contents? How does this affect qualification and competency requirements? Is it necessary to carry out adjustment measures to guarantee job security? This policy brief summarises key findings of studies and scientifically grounded assessments by ZEW researchers. |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewpbs:82016&r=ger |
| By: | Jens K. Perret (Europäisches Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (EIIW)) |
| Abstract: | The present study examines the position of the EU28 member states and the comparative advantage of each vis-à-vis the other states in the EU28 market using four particular chosen leading markets; Renewable Energies, Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technologies and the Recycling sector. Within the framework of this study, two modified versions of a Revealed Comarative Advantage Indicator are employed, both of which are derived herein. It can be shown that ICT and Recycling are already established sectors, for which there is evidence of only a low level of structural dynamics within the EU28. On the contrary, for Renewable Energies and Biotechnology a different picture emerges: Established centers of production and innovation are indeed established, however the transformation process for these two sectors has not been completed and they better fulfil their function as leading markets than ICT or Recycling. |
| Keywords: | Environment, Alternative Energy Source, Biotechnology, Communication Industries, Recycling |
| JEL: | P48 Q42 Q53 L65 L96 |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bwu:eiiwdp:disbei223&r=ger |
| By: | Arthur Korus (Europäisches Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (EIIW)) |
| Abstract: | The present study examines whether an innovation-oriented public procurement process can contribute to the development of lead markets. It is shown that the state, as a procurer of innovative products and services, respectively, can indeed influence leading market factors. Thus, the state can, with the procurement of a particular innovative design, generate a price advantage. However, it also appears that the state either cannot, or can only marginally, influence certain lead market factors. Furthermore, it will be shown that innovation-oriented public procurement may, under certain circumstances, maximize welfare. With the additional demand from the side of the state, the diffusion of innovative products can be accelerated. The study indicates that via innovation-oriented public procurement, lock-ins and path dependencies could be avoided or even eliminated. Moreover, an innovation-centric public procurement can lead to an increase in Research & Development (R&D) expenditures by private firms. Via this channel, a stronger public demand for innovative products and services gives rise to positive employment effects. So that innovation focused public procurement can lead to the emergence or development of lead markets and an expansions of R&D, in the past number of years an increasing number of political initiatives have been launched at the supranational, national and regional levels. Thus, as will be shown in the present study, procurement law at an EU-level was reformed with the goal of strengthening the public procurement of innovative products and services. The analysis shows that the reforms to EU procurement law will definitely have a beneficial effect on the extent of public acquisition of innovative products and services. In addition, this study explores the political initiatives of both the Federal Republic of Germany and the federal German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. |
| Keywords: | Public procurement, Innovation policy, Concepts of demand-oriented policy, Lead markets, Lead market initiative, Innovation |
| JEL: | H57 O3 O38 |
| Date: | 2016–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bwu:eiiwdp:disbei228&r=ger |