Germany Seeks to Position Itself for a Greener, Brighter Future
 Although the German economy has been hammered -- like the rest of the world -- by the global financial crisis, Europe's largest economy also has areas of strength. German cities are competing to attract international business; innovation is thriving; clean energy initiatives are moving forward; and educational reform is helping make schools more responsive to future economic needs. Knowledge@Wharton asked experts at Wharton and other German business schools to weigh in on these and other trends. |
||
|
||
German Inter-city Competition Enters a New Millennium |
||
| While few European cities have a business-friendly reputation, German cities are an exception. Drawing upon their historic strength as competitive centers in a decentralized economy, cities are actively vying to attract global business. Düsseldorf, which has successfully courted companies from around the world, is a case in point. |
||
| Innovation Thrives Among German Firms, Though Hurdles Persist | ||
| Germany registers more patents per capita than any other nation. In fields such as alternative energy, the country is on track to gain recognition as a center of innovation and excellence. Still, according to experts from Wharton, Mannheim and elsewhere, the deep technical expertise that German firms inculcate among their workers and executives sometimes becomes a barrier to pursuing emerging opportunities. |
||
| A Matter of Degrees: German Education Reform and Its Consequences | ||
| While Germany's education system has had a proud legacy, policy makers in recent years have become frustrated with a system that seems stuck in a number of ways. Knowledge@Wharton asked experts at Wharton and leading German universities to explain what's changing in post-secondary education and the impact these changes will have on German business and society. |
||
| Going Green: Why Germany Has the Inside Track to Lead a New Industrial Revolution | ||
| Already a leading player in so-called clean technology -- the mix of environmentally benign power generation and environmentally friendly technologies -- Germany may become the epicenter of the world's next industrial revolution: the triumph of clean, cheap, sustainable electricity. |
