Current Projects

Last update: 19 July 2006

High performance in Germany and the UK

HALFMANN, Prof. Dr. Jost, Technische Universität Dresden
Using case studies and questionnaires, the project will examine the effect of innovative forms of human resource management on employee relations and working conditions in the German manufacturing industries and in the automobile industry. The approach is based on previous research carried out by Professor Paul Stewart at the University of the West of England's Bristol Business School. The same questionnaire will be used in the German study, so that the data can be compared, enabling a comparative evaluation of the impact of the new production systems in the two countries.

Health, retirement and inequality:
Can Germany and the UK learn from each other

ROBERTS, Dr Jennifer, University of Sheffield
SCHELLHORN, Dr. Martin, IZA, Bonn
The researchers are undetaking an econometric analysis of longitudinal data sets in the UK and Germany to investigate the effect of health on the decision to retire, within the context of the pensions and benefits systems. Using simulations, they aim to quantify the impact of changes in pension and/or retirement legislation on the level of health and income inequality.

Optimal income transfers programmes, work incentives and welfare in an ageing society –
Britain and Germany compared

BLUNDELL, Prof. Richard, Institute for Fiscal Studies
STEINER, Prof. Dr. Viktor, Freie Universität Berlin & DIW Berlin
The project aims to provide empirical evidence about the optimal design of tax and transfer programmes, focussing on work incentives and welfare effects for an aging workforce.

Time Use and Work-life balance in Germany and the UK

SMITH, Dr Mark, Manchester School of Management
BAUER, Dr. Frank, Institut zur Erforschung sozialer Chancen, Köln
This project is using time-budget surveys from Germany and the UK to analyse
time allocation patterns and the blurring of boundaries between gainful work
and home life in dual earning households.

Science mobility and balanced growth in an enlarging Europe

ACKERS, Prof. Louise , University of Leeds
This project co-funds an ESRC project, adding Germany to a study of flows of
scientists from Poland and Bulgaria into the UK following EU enlargement. It
investigates the contribution mobility can make to science labour markets
(particularly in the context of skills shortages), economic growth and
competitiveness.

Employment, wage structure and economic cycle:
Differences between immigrants and natives

DUSTMANN, Dr. Christian, University College London
BENDER, Stefan, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung
A research project analysing the differences in the cyclical patterns of
wages and employment between immigrants and native born individuals in
Germany and the UK.The study seeks to shed light on the structural
differences in the employment and wage evolution of the two groups, which
may have important implications for labour market policies.

Determinants of investment in industrial Research and Development

BARRELL, Professor Ray, NIESR
HORNSCHILD, Dr Kurt, DIW
The purpose of this project is to investigate the cases of underlying the pattern and level of industrial R&D expenditure in Britain and Germany during the 1990s. Interim findings will be tested in a sequence of seminars with representatives of industry and policy.

Panel study into the factors influencing the survival and rapid growth of technology based new firms
in Germany and the UK

MURRAY, Dr Gordon, Exeter University
LICHT, Dr. Georg, ZEW
The study seeks to determine what key factors may be associated with the continuing success - or subsequent failure - of firms which were originally surveyed in the earlier study "The rapid internationalisation of high tech young firms in Germany and the UK" (AGF 2001).

Wind power in Britain and Germany

SZARKA, Dr. Joseph, University of Bath
BLÜHDORN, Dr. Ingolfur, University of Bath
Set in the context of the transition to a sustainable energy system, the project focuses on the political and social acceptability of wind power. On the basis of interviews with key actors, the relative impacts of opinion leadership, industrial strategies and planning processes will be analysed. The project espouses the objectives of the 2004 British-German Environment Forum on ‘Future Fuels’, namely the question of how to promote sustainable technologies, and how Germany and the UK can pursue common aims in the international energy system.

Motherhood and Political Careers: a Comparative Study of Germany and the UK

MCKAY, Dr. Joanna, Nottingham Trent University
This empirical study aims to examine the impact of motherhood on the careers of female politicians in Germany and the UK, and the extent to which their opportunities are equal to those of male colleagues if they remain childless. It hopes to contribute to existing and current research factors which increase or reduce levels of female representation in politics and which affect women’s access to the most senior political positions.

The politics of emission trading in Britain and Germany

WURZEL, Dr. Rüdiger, University of Hull
The project aims to assess Anglo-German differences in introducing emission trading schemes to curb greenhouse gas emissions by examining: why the schemes have triggered different responses from the main policy actors in the two countries; why Britain became a leader in emission trading schemes whilst Germany lagged behind; the impact of Britain and Germany on the EU trading scheme; the impact of the EU scheme on tradable permits in Britain and Germany.

Entrepreneurs and risk: a two-country study

WILSON, Laura, University of Portsmouth
HOECHT, Dr. Andreas, University of Portsmouth