Investments into the Digitalisation and Decarbonisation

15.06.2021

WIFO Study Commissioned by the OeNB Sheds Light on Economic Policy Levers

With the foreseeable end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question arises as to how Austrian economic policy can instrumentalise the recovery to direct and facilitate structural change. Against this backdrop, a WIFO study examines economic policy levers to foster investment. Particular attention is paid to digitalisation and green investments.

Investments are central to shaping the recovery process from the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These are not only important drivers of growth and employment, but also a vehicle of technology diffusion that – sometimes profoundly – change economic processes and structures. This leads to the following research question: How can the public sector support investments after the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions so that national and European targets are met? A study by WIFO on behalf of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank examines levers for digitalisation and decarbonisation, which are both are cross-cutting issues.

Digitalisation is driven by the use of technological innovations in ICT. The central levers for facilitating investments are located in the areas of economic policy consistency, the expansion of broadband grids, the diffusion of ICT processes in the corporate sector and in education and training. Decarbonisation is derived from scientific research findings and refers to the achievement of CO2 neutrality of the economy and society, which is a necessity following from man-made climate change. The most important policy lever are the broadening of the awareness of the opportunities and threats of directed technological change, the role of the public sector in technology diffusion (e.g., as lead user), research funding, sector-specific regulations and eventually CO2 taxes combined with carbon tax border adjustments.

 

Publications

Studies, June 2021, 85 pages
Commissioned by: Oesterreichische Nationalbank
Study by: Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Online since: 15.06.2021 0:00
 
In der Zeit nach COVID-19 wird sich der wirtschaftspolitische Fokus vom Strukturerhalt zum Strukturwandel verlagern. Die Studie diskutiert wirtschaftspolitische Hebel zur Forcierung von Investitionen in die "Digitalisierung" und die "Dekarbonisierung" bzw. "Carbon Management" in Österreich. Basierend auf der Literatur zur Technologiediffusion werden Investitionen als Vehikel von Innovationen und Transformationen gesehen. Die "Digitalisierung" wird durch technologische Neuerungen im IKT-Bereich getrieben. Die vielschichtige Thematik wird anhand eines "Digitalisierungsradars", einem strukturierten Indikatorsystem, quantifiziert. Das Stärken-Schwächen-Profil Österreichs im internationalen Vergleich erlaubt es, die Treiber und Hemmnisse der "Digitalisierung" und wirtschaftspolitische Ansatzpunkte zu identifizieren. Im Abschnitt zur missionsorientierten "Dekarbonisierung" werden durch eine Stakeholder-Befragung drei Bereiche beleuchtet, nämlich die Kfz-Zulieferindustrie, ein Kreislaufwirtschaftsmodell der Zementindustrie sowie innovative Gebäude. Neben bereichsspezifischen Schlussfolgerungen zeigen sich auch allgemeine wirtschaftspolitische Ansätze.
Please contact

Dr. Klaus Friesenbichler

Research groups: Industrial, Innovation and International Economics

Dr. Werner Hölzl

Research groups: Industrial, Innovation and International Economics

Mag. Dr. Angela Köppl

Research groups: Climate, Environmental and Resource Economics

Dr. Birgit Meyer, MSc

Research groups: Industrial, Innovation and International Economics