Even though European labor markets are characterized by high average unemployment, there is a shortage of high-skilled labor, leading many European economists to argue for an immigration policy directed at actively recruiting highly qualified workers from abroad. It has further been argued that...

In the last years access to research data has made a lot of progress in EU countries. Nevertheless transnational access to confidential microdata - although there are some developments like "Data without Boundaries" - is still complicated and needs improvement. The first part of the paper...

The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the prime instrument of EU regional policy. European policy makers place considerable hope into their growth stimulating funding measures to overcome current economic stagnation. Consequently, there is a strong need for credible evidence...

The EU-wide Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), established in 2005, is a key pillar of Europe¿s strategy to attain compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. Under this scheme, CO2 allowances have thus far been allocated largely free of charge. This paper demonstrates that such cost-free allocation,...

Mit dem im Jahr 2005 etablierten Handel von Emissionszertifikaten für Kohlendioxid (CO2) möchte die Europäische Union der im Kiotoprotokoll festgelegten Verpflichtung nachkommen, nach der die CO2-Emissionen im Zeitraum 2008 bis 2012 durchschnittlich um 8% geringer ausfallen sollten als 1990....

The euro area is experiencing a severe and highly complex crisis. It comprises three problem areas, the difficulties of some highly indebted European sovereigns to ascertain funding at palatable cost, the disconcerting fragility of the European banking system and disappointing growth prospects...