"In many countries fairly large and persistent regional disparities can be observed for a variety of economic indicators. Since these disparities can not be reduced to one single dimension, a classification system is needed to give a parsimonious overview. The article presents a system which is...

"Long-term public sector sponsored training programs often show little or negative short-run employment effects and often it is not possible to assess whether positive long-run effects exist. Based on unique administrative data, this paper estimates the longrun differential employment effects of...

"This pilot study examines the question of how different strategies and attitudes of caseworkers in German job offices influence the chances of re-employment of the job seekers they counsel. We use data from a standardised survey among caseworkers that we combine with administrative data of the...

"This paper provides a review of theoretical and empirical research on the concept of policy styles as well as a discussion on the merits of its integration in impact analysis of labour market policies. We argue for focusing on administrative organizations' heterogeneity in the implementation...

"We analyse the impact of retraining for the unemployed on future labour market success, and estimate effects separately for different target occupations. We use German registry data and apply statistical matching methods. The results show that on average, after a period with strong lock-in...

"The support of start-ups out of unemployment within the legislative framework of Social Code III (SGB III) is still one of the most important instruments of active labour market policy. On August 1, 2006, the new 'Start-up Scheme' (§ 57 SGB III) replaced its predecessors, the 'Bridging...

"From 2002 - 2004, the German government passed several laws that curtailed the generosity of the unemployment compensation system. One of the most ambitious changes was a considerable reduction in unemployment benefit entitlement lengths for older unemployed, which was effective during 2006 and...

"In 2005 a major reform of the German means-tested unemployment benefit system came into force. The reform aimed at activating benefit recipients, e.g., by a workfare programme, the so-called One-Euro-Job. This programme was implemented at a large scale. Participants receive their means-tested...

"Ein erster Überblick verdeutlicht die wesentlichen Ziele des SGB II: die Vereinheitlichung der Grundsicherung, eine allgemeine Integration in Erwerbsarbeit, das Prinzip Fördern und Fordern mit Pflichten auf Seiten der Bürger und auf Seiten des Staates. Neben diesem ersten Überblick wird die...

"The research report is based on the evaluation of the project 'increasing graduation quota - enhancing occupational capacities'. The model project is an attempt to increase chances on a successful transition from school to occupational training of low qualified young people. The project seeks...