JOURNAL ARTICLE
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Perspektive der Industrie in Deutschland
Gornig, Martin | Schiersch, Alexander
Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung, Vol. 84 (2015), Iss. 1 : pp. 37–54
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Martin Gornig, DIW Berlin – Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung
Alexander Schiersch, DIW Berlin – Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung
Abstract
The rise of China into the ranks of the industrialized nations has characterized the last 15 years. China significantly increased its share in global industrial production. At the same time, the USA and most Western European countries experienced severe deindustrialization. Only a few countries, for instance Germany, did not develop accordingly. In fact, the German industry managed to grow at the same pace as global industry production and was able to maintain its market share. Inter alia, this success was due to an industry structure which focused on medium-tech and high-tech sectors. The total value added share of such industries of has increased significantly in 2000-12. Such industries include, but are not limited to chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical devices or aircraft. However, we can identify a remarkable shortage of investments in the German manufacturing industry. In the 2000-12 period the modernity of the capital stock, measured as the real fixed capital formation in relation to the real fixed capital stock, was below that of many competitors. Even successful sectors, such as the manufacture of machinery and the manufacture of motor vehicles, invested less, given their capital stock, than the sector specific international average. This distinct weakness of investment is a clear warning signal, which calls for an active industry policy. Nowadays, industry policy implies, first and foremost, innovation policy. However, it should not be confined to the provision of research infrastructure, but must actually butt innovation clusters. In addition, it is important to closely interlinking innovation policy with the creation of an efficient education and training system, an investment-friendly tax policy and a future-oriented environmental policy.