The increasing economic integration and the diverse possibilities for global entrepreneurial activities require strategies for their implementation. Are global competition rules needed to safeguard global competition? For Ulf Böge, Bundeskartellamt, international competition policy cannot be achieved by means of “hard harmonisation” but by discussion and co-operation of the national competition authorities. Wolf Schäfer, Helmut-Schmidt University of Hamburg agrees that co-operation among the competition authorities is preferable to an administrative harmonisation of competition rules. Henning Klodt, Kiel Institute for the World Economy, stresses that global competition rules are not meant to replace but to supplement national competition law. Wolfgang Kerber, University of Marburg, argues that international competition law is not necessary but rather international procedural rules. For Theresia Theurl, University of Münster, the status quo is that rules for global competition exist only in a rudimentary form, which is because of the costs that they bring about. Finally, Georg Koopmann, HWWA, argues for an internationalisation of competition policies.
Chang Woon Nam and Rüdiger Parsche
The VAT revenue shortfalls quantified by the Ifo Institute increased suddenly in 2001 and remained at a high level in the following years. At the beginning of 2005, a drop in the VAT shortfall rate was determined on the basis of estimated aggregate economic figures. This decline in the shortfall rate for 2005 that was detected in spring 2005 has been confirmed by now available data. This could indicate that legislative measures are having an effect and are helping to stabilise VAT revenue. This is confirmed by calculations by the Ifo Institute in which the percentage of VAT shortfalls this year will amount to 10½ percent, falling below the 11 percent level of 2005.
Herbert Hofmann
Due to demographic ageing, the number of people in need of nursing care will increase clearly in the coming decades. The present infrastructure for in-patient and out-patient care will not suffice to preserve or even improve the necessary standard of care. Nursing services, nursing homes and also nursing staff will be lacking: A calculation of the personnel requirements in full-time equivalents on the basis of known personnel/nursing-care-case rates shows that up to 2010 a total of 150,000 full-time workers (full-time equivalents) will be needed. Up to 2020 this number could rise to ca. 250,000. Thus, the costs of state nursing-care insurance schemes will continue to rise. Since according to the current rules adjustment on the revenue side is not ensured, a fundamental basic reform of nursing care insurance is urgently necessary.
Manuel Birnbrich
According to the results of the latest Ifo Investment Survey, wholesalers plan to invest more in 2006 than they did last year, partly as a result of continuously rising turnover. Because of the positive situation in manufacturing, the recovery in construction and signs for a revival of private consumption, turnover growth in wholesaling should be stronger in 2006 than in 2005. Declines in staff will probably come to a standstill and in some areas even creating new jobs. The results of the Ifo Investment Survey in wholesaling point to perceptible growth in equipment investments, but also building investments will expand somewhat. In total, gross capital spending in 2006 could increase by more than 10%.
Nick Hoffmann
With the accession to the EU of ten central and eastern European countries on 1 May 2004, the states of the EU-15 were given the option of limiting the free movement of labour from the new member states. Over a period of seven years, national regulations on access to the labour markets can be issued. This article gives an overview of regulations in the EU-15 countries.
Erich Gluch
The Business Climate of freelance architects in Germany brightened again at the beginning of the second quarter of 2006. The surveyed architects were clearly less satisfied with their current business situation than in the previous quarter. Confidence was also expressed in the business outlook.
Hans G. Russ
The business climate in German industry and trade weakened somewhat in July and now stands at the level reached in May. This was the result of less optimism in the business expectations but also the current situation was evaluated a little less positively by the firms. Nevertheless, the basic economic tendency remains upwards, although some factors such as a high or still increasing oil price, a likely decline in world economic activity and the imminent value-added tax increase could have a dampening influence.
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