IFN-Etla Conference (2024)
On September 26–27, 2024, the first IFN-Etla Conference was held. The purpose was to promote collaboration between IFN and its Finnish counterpart Etla (the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy). Over the course of two days, research from various disciplines within economics was presented and discussed. The conference took place at IFN, with Joacim Tåg overseeing the event.
How is the Business Sector Affected by Generative AI? (2024)
As the world embraces automation and digitalization, we face a new era with generative AI—a technology that challenges our traditional views on work, innovation, and societal development. There is enormous potential for productivity gains simply by utilizing the technologies we already have today, according to Malin Gardberg, a researcher at IFN and the lead researcher for the policy seminar "How is the Business Sector Affected by Generative AI?"
Deglobalization and the Swedish Economy (2023)
After decades of steadily increasing globalization, the world is entering a new phase. China, the USA, and the EU are moving towards greater national self-sufficiency, marked more by state-driven industrial policy. The world is becoming more polarized, and the risk of various types of conflicts is increasing. In light of this, IFN hosted a policy seminar on "Deglobalization and the Swedish Economy."
Labor and Finance Group Conference (2020)
IFN is hosting the Labor and Finance Group conference on August 17th and 18th. Due to the pandemic, the conference will be all digital. The Labor and Finance Group is an initiative to bring together academics working at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and personnel economics.
The FAME Workshop (2020)
During the year the Firms, Labor Markets and Entrepreneurship (FAME) group at IFN has arranged two internal workshops. The purpose of these workshops is to bring together IFN researchers and affiliates to discuss ongoing early-stage research. Automatization, corporate reorganization, and globalization were three key themes this year.
How Does Digitization Affect the Business Sector and the Labor Market? (2020)
Sweden needs more active labor market policies directed towards education, young workers, and growing firms to secure a vibrant business sector and labor market. This is a key conclusion from the studies presented at the external policy seminar on "How does digitization affect the business sector and the labor market?" arranged by IFN. The researchers also presented findings showing that there are large regional differences in how digitalization has transformed Sweden.
Nordic Initiative for Corporate Economics Conference (2018)
On August 17-18, IFN hosted the inaugural conference of the Nordic Initiative for Corporate Economics (NICE). NICE will organize a series of conferences to bring together leading scholars located in the Nordic countries or with Nordic connections. Uniting the researchers is their interest in understanding the corporation, whether from the perspective of accounting, corporate finance, trade economics, labor economics, or industrial organization.
Women in Investment Management visited IFN (2017)
KvinnoKapital, a network of women working with asset management, visited IFN and listened to presentations by two IFN researchers. Björn Hinnerich discussed the study "Gender Quotas in the Board Room and Firm Performance: Evidence from a Credible Threat in Sweden". The researchers concluded that the threat of gender quotas in boards of larger Swedish corporations had an effect, increasing the number of women on boards and also corporate profits. Joacim Tåg presented an ongoing study of why so few women become CEOs in large Swedish firms, finding that it is difficult for women, but not for men, to combine family and a senior career.
Globalization and New Technology: Effects on Firms and Workers (2017)
On June 15 - 16, 2017, IFN organized an international two-day academic conference on "Globalization and New Technology: Effects on Firms and Workers". Researchers studied how new technology and globalization affect firms' organizational structure, ownership, and labor market outcomes. Participants came from Sweden, the UK, US, France, Germany, Finland, and Norway.
What the research can teach us about automation? (2016)
On December 28, 2016, IFN held an open seminar on what research can teach us about automation. Melanie Arntz from the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) opened the seminar. IFN researchers who study digitalization and automation presented their work, showing that Swedish firms, especially in manufacturing, have successfully applied digitalization. A panel debate included Annika Winsth, chief economist at Nordea.
What if... the stock market disappears? (2016)
On November 23, 2016, the Knut Wicksell Center for Financial Studies, part of IFN, hosted a seminar on venture capital, IPOs, and the future of the public firm. Alexander Ljungqvist, Professor of Finance at NYU, gave the keynote. He discussed the declining popularity of stock market listings and the potential impact on corporate investment and economic growth.
The Economics of Corporate Ownership (2015)
Questions on the social implications of various forms of firm ownership are increasingly relevant. To advance research in this area, IFN organized a two-day workshop on "The Economics of Corporate Ownership". Topics included how ownership and governance of firms affect society through political, financial, labor, and product markets interactions.
Politics vs. the Economy? When Policy Uncertainty Curbs Economic Growth (2015)
At an IFN seminar, Professor Steven Davis from the University of Chicago discussed how policy uncertainty can curb economic growth, pointing to factors like governmental policy changes and refugee flows. The seminar included a panel discussion with Swedish economic policymakers.
Optimal Transparency – a Dream or Reality? (2014)
IFN, FAR, Nasdaq, and Transparency International Sweden organized a conference on transparency in corporate communications. Speakers, including Professor Sidney Grey, discussed whether transparency should focus more on societal development rather than increasing the volume of corporate information.
GDP is not Enough – Or How to Measure Life (2015)
In a seminar on May 7, Professor Diane Coyle of the University of Manchester argued that GDP alone is insufficient as a measure of growth. She proposed a dashboard of indicators and mentioned alternative measures like the Social Progress Index.
Who Should Control the Swedish Firms? (2014)
A report by IFN identified possible changes in corporate management, including stronger individual ownership control and clarified roles for institutional investors. This study, presented on May 8, was part of a discussion on who should govern Swedish firms.
The Decline and Fall of the Stock Market (2013)
Professor Alexander Ljungqvist from NYU discussed the U.S. stock market's decline, noting that IPOs have become fewer but larger. A panel with Investor and NASDAQ OMX executives followed his introduction.
Job Dynamics in Swedish Industry 1990–2009 (2013)
IFN hosted a seminar on job dynamics in Swedish industry from 1990–2009. Researchers discussed which jobs were lost or created, educational levels, and shifts between the service sector and manufacturing.
Industrial Organization and Corporate Finance (2013)
In response to the financial crisis, IFN held an international conference focusing on how financial markets impact the global economy. The conference explored how corporate finance can better inform competition, industry, and tax policies.
Capital taxation, Corporate Ownership and Globalization (2012)
IFN organized a symposium on capital taxation, corporate ownership, and globalization, discussing the effects of globalization and the structural changes in Swedish industry. Representatives from Handelsbanken’s research foundations were present.
Globalization, Organization and the Ownership of Firms (2012)
In June 2012, IFN hosted a conference on globalization, organization, and firm ownership. Researchers examined the impact of firm organization, vertical specialization, and ownership structures on productivity.