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The upcoming federal election will influence the political course set for innovation in Germany. Innovation is the key to growth, competitiveness and sustainable progress. Whether artificial intelligence, green technologies or digital business models – new ideas are changing the economy and society at a rapid pace. But what setting is required for innovations to be created and successfully implemented?
This ZEW Monthly edition on the topic of “Innovation” focuses on main drivers of innovation strength in Germany. The chemical industry plays a key role here, making a significant contribution to the economy’s competitiveness. However, the potential is not fully tapped: For example, start-ups participate less in public tenders than established companies do. At the same time, high energy costs might cause an unexpected acceleration of the energy transition. There is a ray of hope, though. Innovation spending – a measure of future-oriented innovation efforts – was at a record high. And unlike in the past, this development has been driven by the service sector.
Finally, our newsletter takes a forward look regarding the 2025 federal election: In view of the serious economic problems, the new German government should clearly prioritise its European policy.
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↗ SOARING ENERGY COSTS ACCELERATE ENERGY TRANSITION
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| Many German companies responded to the rising energy prices following the war in Ukraine by shifting to renewable energies or energy-saving technologies. This was the case both for energy-intensive companies and for companies that were only slightly affected by the price increases. Additional energy-related investments did not supplant modernisation and innovation activities. These are the findings of a ZEW study, which is based on data from the German Community Innovation Survey (CIS) and which sheds light on adaptation strategies adopted by German companies.
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| More about the study
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↗ START-UPS: POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC TENDERS REMAINS UNUSED
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| A recent study by ZEW analyses to what extent start-ups participate in public tenders and win them. The study revealed that eleven per cent of German start-ups have been involved in public tenders since they were founded and seven per cent were awarded at least one contract. However, the number of established companies winning a tender is more than twice as high. The study is based on a representative survey of around 5,000 start-ups in Germany which was conducted in 2022.
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| | ↗ INNOVATION SPENDING IN GERMANY AT RECORD LEVEL
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| In 2023, the German economy spent a record 203.4 billion euros on innovation, thus exceeding the previous year’s level by 6.6 per cent. The service sector in particular makes an above-average contribution to this development. Even so, innovation planning for the years ahead remains marked by uncertainties, according to the new 2024 Innovation Survey by ZEW on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
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↗ MORE SICK DAYS DUE TO IMPROVED ABSENCE RECORDING
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| The number of days absence due to sickness has markedly increased in Germany since 2022. A recent study by ZEW shows that improved statistical recording of sick days has been a main driver of this increase, especially the “electronic certificate of incapacity for work” (eAU). At the same time, severe waves of colds played a role, as did a more conscious approach to respiratory diseases after the pandemic.
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↗ LINKEDOUT INSTEAD OF LINKEDIN
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| On the career platform LinkedIn, contact requests by Black people are rejected more often than requests by White people. However, once a contact request has been accepted and the contact has become part of a person’s network, the discrimination ceases. When Black people ask their network for career tips, they receive as many answers of the same quality as White people. These are the findings of a large-scale study by researchers from ZEW and the University of Mannheim, which analysed 400 LinkedIn profiles of young Black and White Americans.
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↗ ZEW ECONOMIST ZAREH ASATRYAN APPOINTED AS PROFESSOR
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| In addition to his work at ZEW, Professor Zareh Asatryan has accepted a professorship in economics with a focus on empirical economic research at the University of Münster. The appointment of the economist and deputy head of ZEW’s Research Unit “Corporate Taxation and Public Finance” will intensify the exchange between ZEW and the University of Münster.
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In view of the growth crisis in Germany, the President of ZEW Mannheim, Professor Achim Wambach, PhD is calling for a stronger European focus in economic policy. Only through closer cooperation within the EU can key challenges such as climate neutrality, resilience and productivity increases be overcome.
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| Read the full opinion piece
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| | | | → CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THE CONTENT | |
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| | | | | ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research
L7, 1 · 68161 Mannheim
Phone: +49 (0)621/1235-01
E-mail: zewmonthly@zew.de
Website: www.zew.de
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| | | | | Executive Directors:
Professor Achim Wambach, PhD; Claudia von Schuttenbach
Chair of the ZEW Supervisory Board:
Ministerial Director Dr. Hans Reiter
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Local Court Mannheim HRB 6554
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