Since the Second World War the West German states show persistent differences in their standard of living. The explanation of the incomplete catching-up process within West Germany is of crucial interest. After identifying productivity as the major growth driving force, this paper investigates...

Frugal innovation is gaining traction globally, not only in emerging economies, but also in the industrialized world. The root causes of frugality's acceptance as a societal value may however differ according to the social context, especially between the developing and the developed world. In...