German Economic Institute
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Digitalization, Structural Change and Competition

The researchers of this unit monitor corporate activity in a constantly changing market environment.

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The markets which form the competitive environments for companies can differ widely, varying, for instance, in the composition of supply and demand and in the institutional framework that flanks all business activities. In addition, markets are constantly changing – nowadays in particular because of the digitization of all areas of life.

Against this backdrop, the economists of the research unit Structural Change and Competition examine the strategic behavior of companies, the design of markets and the impact of government regulation on competition.

The aim of the research is to provide policy recommendations in order to foster efficient and welfare-enhancing competition and facilitate successful business creation and development.

The researchers particularly focus on the effects of digitization on competition. The increasing interconnectedness of people, machines and processes and the associated automation and intelligent self-organization of production (autonomy) implies many questions and challenges for industry, policy and society.

Sections of the Research Unit

Industrial organization and competition

The focus of this section is the interaction between companies and markets as well as the interaction among companies. The IW researchers examine the impact of the organization and regulation of markets on businesses and competition. Furthermore, they investigate issues concerning the market design and the regulation of new technologies, for example in the context of Industry 4.0. The Digital Single Market initiative of the EU is also carefully examined.

Enterprises

The main interest of this research section is the development of companies. Companies are founded, they grow or shrink, and some eventually leave the market. Companies adapt to changing circumstances, but they also affect structural change themselves. A crucial issue treated in this research section is the establishment of an institutional framework that renders Germany an attractive place for business for companies from all over the world.

Vera Demary

Dr. Vera Demary

Head of the Research Unit Digitalization, Structural Change and Competition

Tel+49 221 4981-749

Mailvera.demary@iwkoeln.de

@V_Demary

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Barbara Engels

Barbara Engels

Economist for Industrial Organization and Competition

Tel+49 221 4981-703

Mailengels@iwkoeln.de

@BarEngels

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Klaus-Heiner Röhl

Dr. Klaus-Heiner Röhl

Senior Economist for Firms

Tel+49 30 27877-103

Mailroehl@iwkoeln.de

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Christian Rusche

Dr. Christian Rusche

Economist for Industrial Organization and Competition

Tel+49 221 4981-412

Mailrusche@iwkoeln.de

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Status quo and trends in e-commerce in Germany
  • Barbara Engels / Christian Rusche ·
  • IW-Report No. 33 ·
  • 4 September 2019

Status quo and trends in e-commerce in Germany

However, e-commerce is not equally important in the individual product groups. Above all, food is still largely sold offline. In the near future, the importance of e-commerce is expected to increase further.

Data Governance as the Enabler of the Data Economy
  • Barbara Engels in Intereconomics ·
  • External Publications ·
  • 31 July 2019

Data Governance as the Enabler of the Data Economy

In the era of digitalisation, data has emerged as a highly valuable business resource. However, it is rarely treated as consistently and transparently as other business assets.

How Do Companies in Germany Evaluate their Data?
  • Barbara Engels ·
  • IW-Trends No. 4 ·
  • 25 February 2019

An Unknown Treasure: How Do Companies in Germany Evaluate their Data?

The collection, analysis and exploitation of data are key drivers of the digital economy. But the importance of data for corporate success is also increasing in industries that are not primarily associated with the digital economy.

Homesharing in the German federal state of North Rhine - Westphalia
  • Vera Demary ·
  • IW-Report No. 3 ·
  • 14 January 2019

Homesharing in the German federal state of North Rhine - Westphalia

A professional, continuous short term letting of accommodation via home sharing platforms like Airbnb can lead to a reduction of housing space and therefore intensify housing shortages.

Die Siemens-Medizintechnik-Tochter Siemens Healthineers erlebte Mitte März 2018 ihr Börsendebut und wird nun im TecDax gelistet.
  • Klaus-Heiner Röhl ·
  • IW-Trends No. 3 ·
  • 25 October 2018

Business Splits: Economic Aspects of a Global Trend

While there has long been a trend towards large companies becoming dominant through takeovers, in Germany and internationally an opposite trend has recently set in: the breaking up of companies as a result of sales, IPOs or spin-offs is clearly on the increase.

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