Short specialist publications on topical issueshttps://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/© 2010-2026 Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW)Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) RSS Generatoren-ENTue, 12 May 2026 13:24:00 +0200Despite the unprecedented scale of the unfolding energy crisis, the Gulf states are unlikely to accrue the kind of windfall profits they captured in 1973 and 1979 – this may worsen the impact of the energy crisis on Germany, which historically profited from Gulf exporters’ “recycling” their profits into German industry. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/daniel-james-muncaster-why-the-2026-hormuz-crisis-may-not-enrich-the-gulf-and-what-that-means-for-germany.html?utm_source=rssTue, 12 May 2026 13:24:00 +0200The policies of the current US administration have had significant effects on German American economic relations. German foreign direct investment flows into the US have fallen by around 24 percent since Trump took office, and German exports to the US have dropped by nearly 9 percent. This generates losses on both sides. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/samina-sultan-a-bitter-reckoning.html?utm_source=rssTue, 20 Jan 2026 09:13:00 +0100The Opportunity Card is one of the most popular new provisions of the German Skilled Immigration Act and makes it easier for third-country nationals to access the labour market – but the regulation has been difficult to implement so far and is still unknown to many employers. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/jeannette-michaelle-nintcheu-skilled-immigration-via-the-opportunity-card.html?utm_source=rssFri, 28 Nov 2025 08:56:00 +0100Qualified migration makes an indispensable contribution to Germany’s innovative capacity: at least 14 per cent of all patent applications developed in Germany now originate from inventors with foreign roots. India makes a particularly significant contribution — in part thanks to initiatives such as “Make it in Germany.” https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/carolina-guzman-martinez-alexandra-koebler-oliver-koppel-the-contribution-of-qualified-migration-to-patent-activity-in-germany.html?utm_source=rssMon, 13 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0200Canada is often seen as one of Europe’s last remaining like-minded partners on the global stage. In response to U.S. tariffs under President Trump and Washington’s growing geopolitical assertiveness, Ottawa has sought closer ties with the EU, particularly by broadening its economic diversification. Paradoxically, however, Canada’s resource sector remains dominated by China. Europe will remain geopolitically constrained unless it finally takes strategic action. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/simon-gerards-iglesias-michael-huether-what-options-are-left-for-the-eu.html?utm_source=rssThu, 14 Aug 2025 08:40:00 +0200International students make an important contribution to Germany’s economic development. The more of them that remain in Germany after graduation, the greater the impact. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/wido-geis-thoene-axel-pluennecke-international-students-boost-public-finances-and-drive-economic-growth.html?utm_source=rssWed, 04 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0200In a country comparison of international patent applications from the higher education sector, Switzerland excels in efficiency. The USA dominate in terms of the number of patent applications and in the ranking of the 1,767 patent-active universities across the globe. Germany performs well across all categories, placing just behind the USA in efficiency. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/maike-haag-enno-kohlisch-oliver-koppel-international-ranking-by-country-and-individual-university.html?utm_source=rssTue, 15 Oct 2024 08:30:00 +0200The African Group proposes to reform the WTO’s subsidy rules for industrial goods. Even if this demand for more policy space entails some problems, the EU should view this as an opportunity. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/juergen-matthes-samina-sultan-a-new-opportunity-to-tackle-the-global-distortions-of-chinas-state-capitalism-eng.html?utm_source=rssWed, 06 Dec 2023 08:14:00 +0100ChatGPT is currently very popular. The AI can answer questions in seconds, summarize entire texts or create programming code. On the one hand, there are many advantages for the economy and society, on the other hand, experts warn of dangers and call for regulation. It is therefore interesting to see whether and for what purposes companies are already using ChatGPT. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/jan-buechel-armin-mertens-how-companies-use-chatgpt.html?utm_source=rssSat, 13 May 2023 06:00:00 +0200The German government's proposal to introduce a fixed limit on government spending growth for highly indebted member states in the course of the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact makes sense. Given the macroeconomic environment, such a minimum requirement does not appear overambitious. This would ensure a steady reduction in the government deficit and debt level. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/juergen-matthes-samina-sultan-lindners-ideas-have-merit.html?utm_source=rssTue, 25 Apr 2023 15:21:00 +0200