The impact of uncertainty on firms? investment outlays is subject to an ongoing debate. Theory identifies several channels. Irreversibility, financing constraints and risk aversion make a negative relationship between uncertainty and investment likely. On the other hand, the ability of firms to...

This paper tests some of the predictions of recent advances in trade theory that have focused on different trade patterns of firms within the same sector. Helpman, Melitz and Yeaple (2005) develop a model in which innate productivity differences between firms determine the degree of...

The theories of internalization and internationalization provide general factors of international market entry but are not precise about its timing. A model of waiting and growth options seizes the importance of flexibility to FDI decisions and centers the impact of uncertainty. The results of a...

In February 1998 a work was published in the series of discussion papers produced by the Bundesbank which was concemed with problems of measuring inflation in Gerrnany. This paper met with a lively response. The Research Group of the Bundesbank therefore staged a workshop on this subject at...