China uses subsidies extensively to take a leading role in the global markets of green-tech products such as battery electric vehicles and wind turbines. Against the background of the current EU investigations into Chinese subsidies in these sectors, this article takes a careful look at the...

In Europe and North America there are increasing calls for an industrial policy that would foster innovation and technological development. The advocates of industrial policy warn that without active government support national firms will succumb to unfair foreign competition and that there will...

The period from 1950 to 1974 was one of exceptional economic progress, particularly in manufacturing. This article examines how some of these developments have altered the objectives and methods of formulating industrial policy in western countries. Following a brief discussion of sector-wide...

Using Germany as an example, this article examines how different groups of small andmedium-sized enterprises were impacted by and recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.The study found that at the onset of the pandemic, turnover losses were experienced notjust by enterprises regarded as poor...

In the aftermath of the crisis, Europe is becoming more polarised in terms of employment, competitiveness and industrial specialisation. A 'German-centred core' which maintained employment and production – has emerged, contrasted by a 'Southern periphery', where major economic losses have...