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Call for papers

Challenges for long-run growth in the euro area

Frankfurt/Main, 15 - 16 December 2015

Deadline for paper submissions: 4 September 2015

Recent estimates and projections of euro area potential growth suggest a marked decline in the underlying growth performance of the euro area. Since sluggish long-term growth has clear implications for monetary policy, as it diminishes the natural real interest rate, this conference will focus on requirements for the euro area to achieve higher potential growth.

Policy actions taken now influence the euro area’s growth potential over the medium and long-term. The ECB is organising a conference with the aim to provide researchers and business/policy practitioners an opportunity to discuss obstacles to growth in the euro area, the role of firm-level flexibility, as well as the role of policies, investment and innovation, human capital and management practices in fostering long term growth.

Topics

Theoretical and empirical papers focusing on the following issues would be welcomed:

  • Benchmarking euro area/EU growth and productivity growth with other advanced economies. How much could be gained from catching up with best practice?
  • Which factors explain the TFP wedge with the US? What is the role of human capital, workforce organisation and management practices?
  • How important are firm characteristics such as size, age and financial structure (or credit constraints) in explaining growth at firm level?
  • What role do research and development, innovation and information technologies play in fostering long-term growth in the euro area? What kind of “R” for R&D? What is keeping Europe from the cutting edge of technology?
  • What are the most appropriate policy measures required to foster investment and innovation at firm level?
  • What prevents firms from adjusting optimally to shocks? How important is firm competition in this regard? What is the role of firm flexibility? What is the role of reallocation of resources between sectors and firms?
  • What are the skill requirements for stronger innovation and for a modern economy? What role skill mismatches might play in hampering productivity?

Bart van Ark (The Conference Board and University of Groningen) will act as the keynote speaker.

Submissions

Authors are kindly requested to submit completed or draft papers by Friday 4 September 2015, to the administrative organisers below.

Authors of accepted papers will be notified by 30 September 2015, when the conference programme will also be published.

Organisational issues

For organisational questions related to the workshop, please contact the Administrative Organisers.

Administrative organisers

Workshop organisers