Why do some companies become more productive whilst others do not? How do good ideas, new technologies and better ways of working spread? And how can regulation not only protect but also spur innovation? These and many other questions were discussed at the Scientific Workshop on Productivity. The workshop was organised by GCEE in collaboration with DIW Berlin and the Institute for Energy Economics at the University of Cologne.
Over two days, academics discussed what drives productivity in modern economies. They presented their latest research findings on labour mobility, knowledge externalities, innovation promotion, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the importance of policy frameworks for productivity growth.
A particular highlight was the keynote address by Daniel Yi Xu, David Rubenstein Distinguished Professor of Economics at Duke University. The speech focused on what is to date the world’s largest water diversion project, which transports water from southern China to the drier north. Using this example, he demonstrated how closely environmental policy, infrastructure and economic development are interlinked. When clean water can only be achieved through large-scale infrastructure, it is often not enough to rely solely on voluntary investment by individual companies. Regulation can then not only reduce pollution, but also help to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is built in the first place.
Many thanks to all participants for two inspiring days full of lively discussions and exchanges!
