Unit root tests for time series with level shifts are considered. The level shift is assumed to occur at a known time point. In contrast to some other proposals the level shift is modeled as part of the intercept term of the stationary component of the data generation process which is separated...

The conditions under which European monetary policy is likely to be conducted are investigated by means of multi-variate time series modelling using aggregated data of all eleven European Monetary Union member states. A cointegration analysis identifies two stable long-run relationships within a...

It has long been recognized that aggregating time series introduces correlation between consecutive values of the aggregated observations (see Working (1960)). This paper investigates the effect of aggregation on the relation between variables assuming that the data generating process involves...

Nach der deutschen Vereinigung halbierte sich die Geburtenhäufigkeit in Ostdeutschland. Sie ist damit noch unter die international gesehen niedrige Geburtenhäufigkeit in Westdeutschland gesunken. Der starke Rückgang der Geburten in Ostdeutschland wird in der Öffentlichkeit vielfach beklagt....

There are strong two-way links between parent and child happiness (life satisfaction), even for 'children' who have grown up, moved to their own home and partnered themselves. German panel evidence shows that transmission of (un)happiness from parents to children is partly due to transmission of...

This study presents results of the validation of an ultra-short survey measure of patience included in the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Survey responses predict intertemporal choice behavior in incentive-compatible decisions in a representative sample of the German adult population.

The European Central Bank (ECB) recently announced its willingness to do whatever is needed to save the euro. This has raised the question whether such a role of the ECB must lead to higher rates of inflation. Under current recessive macroeconomic conditions in the eurozone, the ECB’s...