News
Designing electricity auctions
In September 2009, the researchers responsible for the IFN research program “the Economics of Electricity Markets” assembled a group of world leading researchers on electricity auctions in Stockholm for a two-day workshop, “Designing Electricity Auctions”.
The purpose was to discuss policy implications for the design of electricity auctions in the light of recent scientific findings. The seven papers of the workshop appear in the December 2010 Issue of Utilities Policy.
Paul Oyer, Stanford University, visited IFN
On October 20–21, Professor Paul Oyer, Stanford University, visited IFN. Paul Oyer studies the economics of organizations and human resource practices. His recent work has looked at the use of broad-based stock option plans, how firms use non-cash benefits, and how firms respond to limits on their ability to displace workers.
Lessons From the Swedish Welfare State
New research shows bigger government means slower growth. Our country is a prime example, writes IFN researchers Andreas Bergh and Magnus Henrekson in an article in the Wall Street Journal. The discussion is based on Bergh's and Henrekson's recently published book, Government Size and Implications for Economic Growth.
IFN Stockholm Conference 2010 – Innovation, Ownership and Competition Policy
On June 3–4, 2010, the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) organized an international conference on the topic "Innovation, Ownership and Competition Policy". The first purpose of the conference was to contribute to the understanding of the interaction between ownership, ownership changes, restructuring and innovation in the industrial development process. The second purpose was to enhance our understanding of the economic effects of competition policy on innovation. The conference was for invited participants only.
Government Size and Implications for Economic Growth
Friday May 7th, 2010 Magnus Henrekson presented his and Andreas Bergh's book Government Size and Implications for Economic Growth (Washington, D.C.: AEI Press) in front of an audience consisting of some 50 Congressional staff members and specialists. The event was organized by the American Enterprise Institute. At the same event professor Richard Rogerson from Arizona State University also presented his new book The Impact of Labor Taxes on Labor Supply (also published by AEI Press).
Presentation
Read Andreas Bergh's and Magnus Henrekson's article based on the book in the
Wall Street Journal
Book release: Employment Protection Legislation. Evolution, Effects, Winners and Losers
Employment protection legislation is one of the most controversial issues in the labor market. In this insightful book, Per Skedinger provides an overview of the design, evolution and research on the effects of employment protection legislation around the world.
The author is Research Fellow and Associate Professor of Economics at Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN).
Please quote "Per Skedinger discount" when ordering the book to get a special discount price.
New researcher at IFN: Karin Edmark
Karin Edmark, Ph.D. in economics, defended her thesis "Strategic Interactions among Swedish Local Governments" at Uppsala University in 2007. Her research is mainly empirically oriented, and within the areas of economics of education and public economics.
In the area of public economics Karin Edmark has studied which factors affect municipality decision making; for example whether municipalities take strategic considerations when they decide on taxes and expenditures.
Pioneering Research on Venture Capital Rewarded With 100 000 euros
The 2010 recipient of the world’s most prestigious Award in entrepreneurship research, the Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, was announced today. Josh Lerner, Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School, will receive 100.000 euros for his influential contributions to the field of entrepreneurship research.
The White House through the eyes of a Chief Economic Advisor
On Wednesday the 10th of February Professor Edward P. Lazerar shared his experiences from his time as the Chief Economic Advisor to president George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009. The seminar offered the opportunity to understand the work of shaping the American administration's economic policies across the business cycle.
New book on Employment Protection Legislation in May 2010
The international academic publisher Edward Elgar will publish a book by Per Skedinger, Research Fellow and Associate Professor of Economics at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics. In this insightful book, Skedinger provides an overview of the design, evolution and research on the effects of employment protection legislation around the world. The book covers over 100 international studies, dealing with the impact of legislation on productivity, personnel turnover, structural change, perceived job security, and the aggregate level and distribution of employment and unemployment.
Minister for Higher Education and Research talks about IFN in speech
Tobias Krantz talked about IFN as an example of research that is free from outside influence at the Marcus Wallenberg Prize ceremony in late September: “It happened now and then that researchers at the Institute drew conclusions that did not square with what some entrepreneurs thought was appropriate. But when some board members proposed that these reports should be stopped, Wallenberg rejected this outright and recommended instead that those who wanted to censor the research resign from the board.”
Workshop: Designing Electricity Auctions
On September 15–16, a group of international experts on electricity auctions participated in a IFN workshop in Stockholm. The theme was "Designing Electricity Auctions" and the participants discussed policy implications for the design of electricity auctions based on recent scientific findings (theoretical, empirical, experimental or simulated). Among the participants were, to mention some, Lawrence Ausubel (University of Maryland), Nils-Henrik von der Fehr (University of Oslo) and Frank Wolak (Stanford University). The workshop was organized within the IFN Research Program The Economics of Electricity Markets.
IFN celebrates its 70th anniversary
Seventy years have passed since the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (former IUI, and changed to IFN) was founded. The institute has since then been a leading institution in applied research in Sweden and has also figured prominently in the economic policy debate since its inception.
IFN Stockholm Conference 2009 on Ownership, Organization and Industrial Development
On September 10 - 11, the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) organized an international conference on the economics of ownership, organization and industrial development. The first purpose of the workshop was to contribute to the understanding of the interaction between ownership and organizational form and its effects on firm behavior. The second purpose was to enhance our understanding of the economic effects of private equity and venture capital activity. In particular, the focus was on real economic effects such as effects on innovation, restructuring, productivity, employment, and welfare.
European working group on intangible investment
IFN has invited a group of researchers working on intangible investments for a meeting on September 28–29. The meeting is part of the EU project COINVEST which is financed by the European Commission. Economists from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Portugal, and Sweden will come to Stockholm to measure and compare intangible investments. The meeting is organized by Harald Edquist and Henrik Jordahl.
Robin Douhan has passed away
We are very sad to report that Robin Douhan passed away on 10 August 2009. He was outstanding both in research and in his personal qualities. Our deepest sympathies go to his family.
Conference: Beyond the Resource Constraint: Alternative Ways to Improve Schooling
A well functioning schooling system is important for a number of reasons; for example, schooling is an input in the accumulation human capital, economic well-being and growth. On May 28–29, The Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) organized an international two-day conference of alternative ways to improve schooling.
New Communications Officer: Kristina Börjeson
As from April 1, 2009, Kristina Börjeson is Communications Officer at IFN. Kristina has eight years experience of Public Affairs, formation of public opinion projects and media relations. Her most recent position was at Trimedia, a Public Relations and Communications Consultancy, where she worked as a consultant focusing at Public Affairs, internal communication, and media relations. Kristina also has experience of working as Project Manager and Press Secretary for different Swedish nongovernmental organizations and Invest in Sweden Agency (ISA) in New York.
Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research
This year’s Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research has been awarded the American economist Professor Scott A. Shane. According to the motivation he receives the prize ”for publishing significant works that display superior conceptual acumen as well as empirical and methodological sophistication. His research covers virtually all major aspects of the entrepreneurship phenomenon: the individual(s), the opportunity, the organizational context, the environment, and the entrepreneurial process.”
For further information, see www.e-award.org.
IFN celebrates 70 years of economic research
During the year 2009, IFN (former IUI) celebrates its 70 years’ anniversary as a research institute. Ever since its foundation in 1939, the task has been to produce economic research of a high academic level, relevant to the business sector and accessible to the general public.
