Karl Aiginger

He studied at the University of Vienna (1966–1974) and at Purdue University (Indiana, United States (1978). He has been working at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) since 1970. Karl Aiginger is a professor of economic policy at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. He was a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 1991) and at the University of California, Los Angeles (United States, 1997). He has worked as a professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (California, United States, 2002) and given lectures at the Changsha University (Hunan, China). Karl Aiginger is married and has two children.

Karl Aiginger specializes in industrial organization and economic strategies. He also focuses on the analysis of industrial policy, innovation, the competitiveness of companies, international competition, and the European economic and social model.

{{cite web|title=Das europäische Wirtschafts- und Sozialmodel|url=http://www.wifo.ac.at/wwa/pubid/25934 |publisher=Austrian Institute of Economic Research|accessdate=2016-08-25}}.

Aiginger, K. and A. Guger, 2006, The European Socio-Economic Model, in Giddens, A., Diamond, P., Liddle, R. (eds.), Global Europe, Social Europe, Polity Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, pp. 124-150. {{ISBN|9780745639352}}.

{{Citation |doi=10.1007/s10272-006-0168-5 |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Guger |first2=Alois |s2cid=189844017 |year=2006 |title=The Ability to Adapt: Why It Differs between the Scandinavian and Continental European Models |journal=Intereconomics |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=14–23|hdl=10419/41907 |hdl-access=free }}.

Aiginger, Karl, 2008, The Swedish Economic Model: "lessons to be learned", in: Lacina, L., Fidrmuc, J., Rusek, A. (eds.) Economic Performance of the European Union: Issues, Trends and Policies, Palgrave Macmillan: Economics, Business and Management Division, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire {{ISBN|978-0-230-22227-4}}.

{{cite book |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |title=Coping with globalisation and unemployment: new challenges for the European Model, Growth versus Security - Old and New EU Member's Quest for a New Economic and Social Model |year=2007 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan}}.

He is the founding editor of the Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade{{cite web|url=https://www.springer.com/economics/industrial+organization/journal/10842 |title=Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade|accessdate=September 4, 2016}} and was the project leader for the analytical principles underpinning the competition reports of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/growth/about-us/index_en.htm |title=Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW)|accessdate=September 4, 2016}}

{{cite web |title=Europe's position in quality competition |publisher=European Commission, Enterprise Directorate-General, Enterprise DG Working Paper, Brussels |url=http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/2000/quality_comp.pdf |accessdate=25 August 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070442/http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/2000/quality_comp.pdf |url-status=dead }} He evaluated the Finnish system for innovation on behalf of the Government of Finland and was in charge of the evaluating the system of Austrian research subsidies and funding{{cite web |url=https://www.ffg.at/sites/default/files/downloads/page/bpevaluierung03synthesisrep.pdf |title=Evaluation of the Austrian Industrial Research Promotion Fund (FFF) and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) |website=www.ffg.at |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105152202/https://www.ffg.at/sites/default/files/downloads/page/bpevaluierung03synthesisrep.pdf |archive-date=2022-01-05 |url-status=live}} on behalf of the Federal Government of Austria. He was on the supervisory board of the holding company of nationalized Austrian companies.

His work encompasses theoretical essays on decisions made under uncertainty by companies{{cite book |title=Production and Decision Theory under Uncertainty |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |year=1986 |publisher=Basil Blackwell |url=http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/Production_and_Decision.PDF |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2016-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131843/http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/Production_and_Decision.PDF |url-status=dead }} and essays on the policy-relevant assessment of the competitiveness of nations (for the European Commission and the OECD). He has written articles for the [http://www.eesc.europa.eu/ceslink/?i=ceslink.en.escs-in-member-states-bws Advisory Council for Economic and Social Affairs] as well as the reform dialogue of the Austrian Federal Government. Over the past few years, he has focused increasingly on the causes and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis and European economic policy strategies.{{Citation |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |title=A Systemic Industrial Policy to Pave a New Growth Path for Europe |publisher=Austrian Institute of Economic Research |journal=WIFO Working Papers |issue=421 |year=2012 |url=http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/2012/WP421.pdf |access-date=2016-08-27 |archive-date=2016-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023195931/http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/fileadmin/files_aiginger/publications/2012/WP421.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{Citation |doi=10.1007/s10272-011-0363-x |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Schratzenstaller |first2=Margit |year=2011 |title= Consolidating the Budget under Difficult Conditions, Ten Guidelines Viewed Against Europe's Beginning Consolidation Programmes |journal=Intereconomics |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=36–42|hdl=10419/68317 |s2cid=55739963 |hdl-access=free }}

{{cite journal|last=Aiginger |first=Karl |year=2010 |title=The Great Recession versus the Great Depression: Stylized Facts on Siblings That Were Given Different Foster Parents |journal= Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment e-Journal|volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=1 |doi=10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2010-18 |doi-access=free |hdl=10419/30024 |hdl-access=free }}

{{cite journal |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |year=2010 |volume=10 |title=Das sozioökonomische System der USA: Vorteile, Probleme, Entwicklung |journal=Neue Gesellschaft, Frankfurter Hefte |issue=10 |url=http://www.frankfurter-hefte.de/upload//2010-10_Aiginger_web.pdf |access-date=25 August 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011134431/http://www.frankfurter-hefte.de/upload//2010-10_Aiginger_web.pdf |url-status=dead }}. Recently he published on globalization, the future role of Europe in the new world order with the USA as “sole remaining superpower” retreating from multilateralism and China on the way back to Number 1. He discusses possible cooperation with Africa in combating climate change as well mitigating the refugee streams to Europe.{{Citation | doi=10.4337/9781783475018.00013 |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Firgo |first2=Matthias |title=Chapter 7: Regional competitiveness: connecting an old concept with new goals |publisher=Elgaronline |year=2017 | isbn=9781783475001}}{{Citation |doi=10.1108/CR-06-2015-0052 |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Vogel |first2=Johanna |title= Competitiveness: From a Misleading Concept to a Strategy Supporting Beyond GDP Goals |journal=Competitiveness Review |year=2015 |volume=20 |issue=5 |pages=497–523}}{{Citation |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |title= Europe's Mission to Take the Lead in Fighting Climate Change |journal=Querdenkerplattform: Wien Europa Policy Papers |year=2020 |issue=3 |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5780d6f1579fb375af56974a/t/5dde4f4ea8bd8819edae9b42/1574850383142/PolicyPaper3_2019_Kurzfassung2_EN.pdf |access-date=24 August 2020}}{{Citation |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Handler |first2=Heinz |title= Fostering a Dynamic and Stable Neighborhood for Europe |journal=Review of Economics and Finance |year=2018 |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=39–54 |ssrn=3270874 |url= https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3270874 |access-date=24 August 2020}}{{Citation |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |title=Education: Key to Welfare and External European Partnerships |journal=Querdenkerplattform: Wien Europa Policy Papers |year=2018 |issue=2 |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5780d6f1579fb375af56974a/t/5b197b781ae6cfa4f1f746d9/1528396671100/PCC_Policy+Brief+2-2018_070618%21%21.pdf |access-date=24 August 2020}}{{Citation |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Schratzenstaller |first2=Margit |year=2016 |title=New Dynamics for Europe: Reaping the Benefits of Socio-Ecological Transition. Part I: Synthesis - Executive Summary |journal=WWW Policy Brief |url=https://www.wifo.ac.at/wwa/pubid/58737 |access-date=24 August 2020}}

He led the research project Welfare, Wealth and Work for Europe{{cite web|url=http://www.foreurope.eu/ |title=WWWforEurope|accessdate=September 4, 2016}} from 2012 to 2016.The research work leading to these results were supported pursuant to the financial aid agreement no. 290647 in the course of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research of the European Union FP7/2007-2013. This is the largest socio-economic project in the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research.{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/ |title=Seventh Framework Programme for Research|accessdate=September 4, 2016}} It was funded by the European Union and coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research. It was a key academic project accompanying the European Union's Europe 2020 strategy {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm |title=Europe 2020 strategy|accessdate=September 4, 2016}} the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade. In a changing world, the EU wants to become a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. and extending it beyond, providing a basis for a more dynamic, green and socially-oriented society.See website of the [http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm Europe 2020 strategy] for further details. The closing report {{cite web |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |title=New Dynamics for Europe: Reaping the Benefits of Socio-ecological Transition. Synthesis WWWforEurope Synthesis Report, Vienna, Brussels |date=2016 |url=http://Synthesis-Report-Part-I.foreurope.eu }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and the executive summary were presented in Brussels in February 2016 to the European Parliament, the European Commission and the media in a final conference at which Kenneth Arrow of Stanford University held the welcoming address.{{cite web|url=http://www.foreurope.eu/fileadmin/events/Final_Conference/Welcoming_Address_Arrow.pdf|title=Kenneth Arrow's welcome address|accessdate=25 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827132641/http://www.foreurope.eu/fileadmin/events/Final_Conference/Welcoming_Address_Arrow.pdf|archive-date=27 August 2016|url-status=dead}}

A white paper was prepared under his leadership in 2006 on Austrian economic policy entitled "More employment through growth on the basis of innovation and qualification", which had a major influence on Austrian economic policy.{{cite web |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Tichy |first2=Gunter |last3=Walterskirchen |first3=Walter |title=WIFO-Weißbuch: Mehr Beschäftigung durch Wachstum auf Basis von Innovation und Qualifikation, Studie des Österreichischen Instituts für Wirtschaftsforschung im Auftrag von Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, Bundesarbeitskammer, Österreichischem Gewerkschaftsbund und Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich |publisher=Austrian Institute of Economic Research |url=http://www.wifo.ac.at/wwa/pubid/27639 |access-date=25 August 2016}}

In industrial policy, Aiginger advocates the concept of a systemic industrial policy which cooperates with innovation policy, labor market and competition policy with the final goal of serving societal needs. If it is designed strategically, a "green industrial policy" must not reduce price competitiveness but should actually create a competitive advantage. This issue is explored in depth in a special volume of the Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade.{{Citation |doi=10.1007/s10842-019-00322-3 |last1=Aiginger |first1=Karl |last2=Rodrik |first2=Dani |year=2020 |title= Rebirth of Industrial Policy and an Agendafor the Twenty-First Century |journal=Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=89–207 |doi-access=free |url=https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10842-019-00322-3.pdf | access-date=24 August 2020}} Higher costs for energy or emission at an industrial location should be offset by lower taxes on labor and a better supply of research resources, universities and technical colleges. In this way, a country gains competitive advantages that are important for the future, it becomes a technological leader in renewable energies and energy efficiency, and saves costs associated with making up for environmental damage.{{cite journal |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |title=Making ambitious green goals compatible with economic, dynamics by a strategic approach |journal=WWWforEurope Policy Paper |issue=30 |year=2016 |url=http://www.foreurope.eu/fileadmin/documents/pdf/PolicyPapers/WWWforEurope_Policy_Paper_030.pdf |access-date=25 August 2016}}

{{cite book |last=Aiginger |first=Karl |title=Industrial policy for a sustainable growth path: Policy paper number 13 |series=WWWforEurope Policy Paper series |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |pages=365–394 |isbn=9780198706205 |url=https://web-archive.oecd.org/2014-06-13/307844-Industrial-Policy-for-a-sustainable-growth-path.pdf |access-date=25 August 2016}}

It is a main message of Aiginger's work not to equate competitiveness with low costs or to measure it using the external balance, but to measure it by outcomes, specifically defining competitiveness as the "ability to deliver Beyond GDP goals". Industrialized countries must follow a strategy based on quality. A cost strategy can be copied by low-income countries at any time (the "high road strategy vs. the low road strategy"). The broad definition of competitiveness was also recently adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC){{cite web|url=http://www.eesc.europa.eu|title=European Economic and Social Committee}} - A consultative body of the European Union in which the trade unions originally wanted to reject the new "national committees for competitiveness" because they feared an overly restrictive, cost-cutting policy. Following a change in the definition of competitiveness in the direction of fulfilling targets that go "beyond GDP", as proposed by Aiginger and WWWforEurope,{{cite web|url=http://www.foreurope.at|title=Welfare, Wealth and Work for Europe}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} - A Seventh Framework Programme for Research project funded by the EU the EESC was able to approve the creation of new commissions.

Karl Aiginger continues to work on European issues in the Policy Crossover Center, Vienna-Europa and at the Vienna University of Economics and Business from an increasingly interdisciplinary standpoint.

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{{Wikiquote}}

• homepage of [http://karl.aiginger.wifo.ac.at/ Karl Aiginger] hosted at WIFO
• [http://www.wifo.ac.at/karl_aiginger Karl Aiginger] at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research
• [https://www.wu.ac.at/vw4/ma/profmagdr-karl-aiginger/ Karl Aiginger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023201814/https://www.wu.ac.at/vw4/ma/profmagdr-karl-aiginger/ |date=2016-10-23 }} at the Vienna University of Economics and Business
• [http://www.econ.jku.at/Aiginger/ Karl Aiginger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714012900/http://www.econ.jku.at/Aiginger/ |date=2011-07-14 }} at the Johannes Kepler University Linz
• [https://ideas.repec.org/e/pai25.html Karl Aiginger] at [https://ideas.repec.org IDEAS / Research Papers in Economics]

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Category:Living people

Category:1948 births

Category:20th-century Austrian economists

Category:21st-century Austrian economists

Category:Austrian business theorists

Category:21st-century Austrian male writers