Research
PLUS Economic research seminar
The Department of Econonomics of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS) invites researchers to present and discuss their latest research in economics and management.
Our research seminar is Tuesdays from 17:00–18:30. On-site talks take place in room HS 241 (EBMÖOG2.01). Online talks take place on Zoom. If you want to attend the seminar, please contact Lisa Windsteiger.
| 18.3.2025 (on-site) | Title: The labor and health economics of breast cancer Speaker: Alexander Ahammer (JKU Linz) Abstract: We estimate the long-run labor market and health effects of breast cancer among Austrian women. Compared to a random sample of same-aged non-affected women, those diagnosed with breast cancer face a 22.8 percent increase in health expenses, 6.2 percent lower employment, and an earnings penalty of 15 percent five years after diagnosis. Although affected women sort into higher quality jobs post-diagnosis, this is offset by a reduction in working hours. We argue that the hours reduction is more likely driven by an increase in the time preference rate rather than by an incapacitation effect or employer discrimination. |
| 13.5.2025 (on-site) | Title: The heterogeneous trade effects of trade agreements with environmental provisions Speaker: Harald Oberhofer (WU Wien) Abstract: This paper examines the effects of environmental provisions (EPs) in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on trade flows and economic welfare. The nowadays common practice of integrating environmental considerations into trade agreements, raises questions about potential trade-offs between trade and environmental policy objectives. Despite the increasing prevalence of EPs in PTAs, research on their impacts is still limited. This paper fills the gap by estimating trade effects of alternative EPs that target the emission content of manufacturing trade flows. We apply a theory-consistent structural gravity framework together with a general equilibrium trade model that accounts for input-output linkages and allows for counterfactual policy scenario analysis. The results indicate that including EPs in PTAs significantly enhances trade, with the depth of these provisions being more critical than their specific types. Simulations of three counterfactual policy scenarios reveal notable trade gains from current EPs in PTAs particularly for high-income countries but also uncover untapped potentials especially for middle and low-income countries that could be exploited by including more EPs in PTAs. The compositional effects of EPs in PTAs towards greener industries are estimated to be quantitatively small. |
| 20.5.2025 (on-site) | Title: The Value of Leadership: Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Experiment Speaker: Florian Englmaier (LMU München) Abstract: Companies increasingly make use of team-based organizational structures in complex non-routine tasks. To foster performance in these settings, scholars and practitioners alike have emphasized the potential of leadership. However, its value is difficult to identify in agile and cross-functional teams since leadership is often determined endogenously. To explore the causal impact of leadership, this study randomly encourages teams in a large-scale field experiment to select a leader who consistently motivates or consistently coordinates their team. Both encouragements substantially improve team performance and systematically alter team organization, without reducing the originality of solutions. |
| 3.6.2025 (on-site) | Title: TBA Speaker: Aubrey Poon (University of Kent) Abstract: TBA |
| 24.6.2025 (on-site) | Title: TBA Speaker: Andrea Martinangeli (Panthéon-Assas University Paris II) Abstract: TBA |
Previous research seminars: Winter 2024 Summer 2024, Winter 2023, Summer 2023, Winter 2022, Summer 2022, Winter 2021
Picture: © flickr.com/uni-salzburg
