In this paper we argue that traditional measures of openness of an economy usually overstate the actual degree of openness. This is due to the fact that traditional export or import shares are measured as a share of the gross domestic product. The former are expressed in gross terms, the latter...

In this paper we argue that traditional measures of openness of an economy usually overstate the actual degree. This is due to the fact that traditional export or import shares are measured as a share of the gross domestic product. The former are expressed in gross terms, the latter in value...

This study re-assesses regional integration by taking new measures for the degree of openness into account. The value-added based economic integration (VEI) model which improves on traditional economic integration models forms the core of these openness indicators. We show that a shift from the...

This study develops innovative measures of openness towards bilateral trade. The most widely applied openness indices are not able to accurately calculate the degree of trade openness. For example, the intra-regional export ratio which relates the value of exports of an integration area to the...

In Germany, there is no full geographic coverage of high-speed internet access (broadband). This paper assesses and compares costs and benefits of a nationwide deployment of broadband infrastructure. Overall, total benefits are clearly higher than the associated rollout costs. However, the...

Für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland ist neben den politisch gesetzten Rahmenbedingungen auch die Akzeptanz der Verbraucher entscheidend. Eine aktuelle Studie der DIW econ untersucht das Nachfrageverhalten ökologisch orientierter Stromkunden. Auf Basis einer Befragung wurde...

Technological and organizational progress is the major driving force behind economic growth. Innovation systems are a crucial factor in implementing innovations. These include all organizations and institutions, for example, companies, universities, and research institutes, involved in creating,...