Ray of hope? The rise of solar energy in China
China’s solar industry is a poster child for the country’s economic rise over the last four decades. The output of Chinese solar grew by 76%
AI and the distribution of income between capital and labour
The swift rise of artificial intelligence is raising fundamental concerns about the future of work. This column uses data from 238 regions across 21 European
The venture capital challenge for Europe
In recent decades, European firms’ share of global venture investment activity has remained flat or even declined. This gap is linked to a lower rate
The future is under the glass
Digital design increasingly confers a competitive edge in global tech markets. This column examines how the award to Apple of damages for, among other things,
Winners and losers from remote work: How firm capabilities impact productivity
Work from home is now a permanent feature of how firms organise production, yet its effects on productivity remain unclear. Using new data covering all
When broadband comes to banks: Credit supply, market structure, and information acquisition
Banks have long relied upon cutting-edge technologies to deliver products and improve efficiency, but there is limited evidence on the impact of fast internet on
Global cooperation shows resilience despite geopolitical headwinds
The 2026 Barometer indicates that the overall level of cooperation has largely been unchanged in recent years but the composition of cooperation appears to be
Multinational firms and global innovation
Multinational companies are at the heart of two key globalisation trends: the fragmentation of production and the internationalisation of innovation. This column studies the global
The EU fiscal framework undermines innovation and security
European member states may now exceed deficit limits if the borrowing finances defence. This column argues that this fiscal exemption is economically incoherent: it subsidises
The state of competition: Why market power has risen – and why antitrust alone won’t fix it
There is intense debate over the origins and implications of rising market power and declining business dynamism across developed economies. This column argues that a
