In this paper, we extend Henning Bohn's (2008) fiscal sustainability test by allowing for slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence (CD). In particular, our econometric approach is the first that allows fiscal reaction functions (FRF) to capture unobserved heterogeneous effects from...

We study the fiscal policy reactions of municipalities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to an unanticipated spending shock. The implementation of a horizontal transfer system led to additional contributions for selected municipalities. Using the quasi-random assignment, we examine...

A new approach in German innovation policy organizes contests of proposals for developing innovation networks. Based on an overview of the different programs, we investigate the advantages, problems and limitations of such an approach. We find that this type of policy may have a relatively large...

Die Anfang des vergangenen Jahrhunderts lebende amerikanische Organisationstheoretikerin Mary Parker Follett entwickelte die sog. Integrationsmethode zur Lösung von Konflikten zwischen Menschen. Wenn man unterstellt, dass die Arbeitsstelle das Rollenverhalten jedes Menschen entscheidend prägt,...

Das Ombudsmannverfahren des Bundesverbandes deutscher Banken feiert am 1. Juli 2002 sein zehnjähriges Jubiläum. Das Jubiläum liefert eine willkommene Gelegenheit zur kritischen Bestandsaufnahme. Zudem soll der tiefergehenden Frage nachgegangen werden, ob sich die mit der Einführung des...

We investigate regional differences in the level and the development of regional new business formation activity. There is a pronounced variance of start-up rates across the regions. The level of regional new firm formation is rather pathdependent so that changes are relatively small. The main...