Social and Migration-Related Inequalities at the Transition from Primary to Lower Secondary Education in Germany: The Role of Parents’ Knowledge of the Education System

AbstractThe German school system is characterised by early tracking and a high level of differentiation and stratification, leading to diverse educational pathways associated with differing qualifications and career opportunities. In this context, knowledge of the education system should be crucial for strategically navigating the educational process. This study examined how knowledge gaps among social groups contribute to social and migration-related inequalities during the transition from primary to secondary school. Additionally, it explored whether the impact of knowledge depends on the degree to which families’ educational decisions are constrained, specifically by binding teacher recommendations. Data from Starting Cohort 2 of the National Educational Panel Study (Nstudents = 4,177) were used, taking into account parental education as well as the origin group (Former Soviet Union, Turkey, other) and generation status (first and second, 2.5th, and third generations). Controlling for key background characteristics such as grades, it was found that parental knowledge was positively associated with grammar school attendance in three out of five indicators. Overall, however, parental knowledge had only a small impact on group differences, with different patterns emerging: Controlling for knowledge slightly reduced social inequalities, while migration-related inequalities slightly increased. No evidence was found that the effect of knowledge varied by social origin or immigrant background, nor that it depended on the binding nature of teacher recommendations. The results suggested that although parental knowledge was associated with school choice, it did not substantially reduce existing inequalities. We discuss broader implications regarding the potential role of knowledge in shaping educational pathways. @Das deutsche Bildungssystem zeichnet sich durch eine frühe Aufteilung der Schülerinnen und Schüler auf verschiedene Schulformen sowie ein hohes Maß an Differenzierung und Stratifizierung aus. Daraus resultieren verschiedene Bildungswege mit unterschiedlichen Bildungsabschlüssen und Berufschancen. In diesem Kontext sollte Wissen über das Bildungssystem ein zentraler Faktor sein, um Bildungsprozesse strategisch zu steuern. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte, inwieweit Wissensunterschiede zwischen sozialen Gruppen soziale und migrationsbezogene Ungleichheiten beim Übergang in die Sekundarstufe bedingen. Zudem wurde analysiert, ob der Einfluss von Wissen davon abhängt, inwieweit familiäre Bildungsentscheidungen durch verbindliche Lehrkräfteempfehlungen eingeschränkt sind. Für die Auswertung wurden Daten der Startkohorte 2 des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NSchüler:innen = 4.177) herangezogen, wobei die elterliche Bildung sowie die Herkunftsgruppe (ehemalige Sowjetunion, Türkei, andere) und der Generationenstatus (erste und zweite, 2,5. und dritte Generation) berücksichtigt wurden. Unter Kontrolle zentraler Hintergrundmerkmale wie Noten zeigte sich, dass elterliches Wissen in drei von fünf Indikatoren positiv mit dem Besuch eines Gymnasiums assoziiert war. Insgesamt hatte das elterliche Wissen jedoch nur einen geringen Einfluss auf die Gruppenunterschiede, wobei sich hier unterschiedliche Muster abzeichneten: Unter Kontrolle des Wissens verringerten sich soziale Ungleichheiten in der Schulwahl leicht, während migrationsbezogene Ungleichheiten geringfügig zunahmen. Es fanden sich keine Hinweise darauf, dass der Effekt von Wissen nach sozialer Herkunft oder Migrationshintergrund variierte oder von der Verbindlichkeit der Lehrkräfteempfehlungen abhing. Insgesamt deuteten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass elterliches Wissen zwar mit der Schulwahl in Verbindung stand, aber bestehende Ungleichheiten nicht substanziell verringerte. Abschließend diskutieren wir weiterführende Implikationen zur potenziellen Rolle von Wissen bei der Gestaltung von Bildungswegen

Firm characteristics of two-way traders: Evidence from Probit vs. Kernel-Regularized Least Squares regressions

Firm characteristics in empirical models for margins of international trade usually enter these models in linear form. If non-linearities do matter and are ignored this leads to biased results. Researchers, however, can never be sure that all possible non-linear relationships are taken care of. A solution is provided by Kernel Regularized Least Squares (KRLS) that uses a machine learning approach to learn the functional form from the data. While in earlier applications the big picture revealed by standard empirical models and KRLS was identical this note presents a case where results from a standard approach and KRLS do differ considerably

Faith and the child penalty: Religious affiliation and gendered earnings losses after childbirth

The relationship between parenthood and gendered labor market outcomes has been extensively studied, with the 'child penalty'-defined as the effect of having children on mothers' labor earnings relative to their partners'-documented in many countries. While prior research has explored institutional and normative drivers of this gap, the role of religious affiliation remains understudied, particularly at the population level. Religious beliefs shape both fertility decisions and labor market behavior and hence are potentially an important factor shaping heterogeneity in the size of the child penalty. Using comprehensive Austrian register data, this study provides novel evidence on the intersection of religious affiliation and the child penalty. Our results indicate that religious affiliation acts as a moderator of child penalties. Women with a religious affiliation, particularly those belonging to the Catholic majority, experience substantially larger earnings losses following childbirth compared to their secular peers. A decade after the birth of the first child, the woman's share of the couple's joint labor income declines by around 25 percentage points among couples where both partners are Catholic, compared to 18 percentage points among religiously unaffiliated couples. These findings underscore the importance of cultural factors in shaping the economic consequences of motherhood

Determining factors for the digitization of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ibero-America

Industry 4.0 and the rapid evolution of the technological landscape have significantly impacted company value creation of. This study analyzed the determining factors influencing the digitalization of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ibero-America. Data were collected from 14,972 companies in Ibero-American region, and a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed using variance analysis techniques with partial least squares (PLS). The results showed the relevance of training in digitalization skills and digital leadership in achieving different levels of digitalization among the companies studied, with digital leadership further enhancing training efforts. While the adoption of analog technology governance centered on human factors does not impact digital skills training, it is crucial for attaining a basic level of digitalization. Barriers related to technology, finance, human resources, and business culture affect the achievement of a basic level of digitalization but are no longer relevant as companies advance to higher levels. These results provide guidance for the digitalization processes of MSMEs and inform public policies aimed at stimulating the digital transformation of companies

Investitionsimpulse aus dem Sondervermögen in langfristige Investitionsstrategie einbinden

Es ist Aufgabe der öffentlichen Hand, für eine intakte öffentliche Infrastruktur zu sorgen. Bund, Länder und Kommunen sind dieser Aufgabe in den vergangenen Jahren nicht ausreichend nachgekommen. Das im März 2025 beschlossene Sondervermögen von 500Mrd.Euro sollte effektiv in eine langfristige Infrastrukturstrategie Deutschlands integriert werden. Es gilt, strukturelle Schwächen wie fehlende Planungssicherheit, eine kurzfristige Haushaltslogik und fehlende Bauherrenkompetenz zu beheben. Die Einrichtung fristenkongruenter Infrastrukturfonds und eine mittelstandsgerechte Vergabepraxis sind ebenfalls wesentliche Elemente, um Investitionen anreizverträglich zu gestalten

Trade, jobs and technological change: What to expect in the next five years?

This Policy Brief explores the intertwined effects of trade and technological change (notably robotics and AI) on employment, highlighting a growing divergence between the number of jobs supported by exports and the declining labour intensity of exports in recent years. The decline in labour intensity may be sharply accelerated by the rise of robotics and the automation of routine tasks, displacing workers in manufacturing and logistics while enhancing productivity. For many countries that have a strong dependence on the tradejobs nexus, the historically declining labour intensity of exports combined with the rapid adoption of robotics in key economic sectors, will mean that industries could now rely on fewer workers for their exporting activities. This dual shock suggests that, in the future, the number of jobs that depend on trade may decline. The convergence of these forces may lead to certain sectors or regions bearing the brunt of such potential labour disruptions. To address these challenges, supporting policies will be required to mitigate these adverse effects

Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Onset of Parkinson's Disease in a Large Cohort Study

The emerging literature studying the association between exposure to ambient air pollution and Parkinson's Disease (PD) so far draws mixed conclusions. This study provides new evidence on this issue using data from a large and nationally representative cohort tracked over an extended period. We tracked a 28% representative sample of the Northern Ireland population between 2009 and 2016, with complete address records matched to annual average data on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations at the 1km grid-square level, together with comprehensive information on PD medications dispensed over this period. We used these data to estimate associations between pollution exposure and PD onset as proxied by first receipt of PD medication, controlling extensively for potentially confounding factors at the neighbourhood, household and individual levels. Additionally, we estimated associations for sub-samples split by age and sex. There was no evidence of an association between medium-term PM2.5 or NO2 exposure and the risk of onset of PD in the overall cohort, nor among over-50s or samples split by sex. However, we found a positive association between early onset of PD (aged under 50 years as of 2011) and PM2.5 exposure, with more tentative evidence of an association with NO2 exposure. We discuss potential biological and nonbiological explanations for this age-related contrast

A China pode afetar a transição energética na América Latina? Uma análise a partir do índice de transição energética do Fórum Econômico Mundial

The objective of this work was to explore energy transition trajectories in China and Latin America, indicating their synergies and potential. Starting from a description of the Energy Transition Index (ETI) and an explanation of its methodology, we sought to map the global energy transition, emphasizing its challenging momentum and the imperative of its acceleration. In this sense, strategies that can be designed and implemented for the decarbonization of energy systems were identified, and the importance of international cooperation was highlighted. Given national and regional particularities, the evolution and perspectives of the energy transition in China and Latin America were observed, especially with regard to the dimensions of equity, security, and sustainability. It was argued that China can constitute a key ally for the energy transition in Latin America, contributing to reducing investment gaps, diversifying energy systems, and developing green industries

Political Spillovers of Worker Representation: With or Without Workplace Democracy?

A series of studies show that unions and works councils have an influence on workers' political activities and attitudes. However, at issue are the transmission channels through which worker representation impacts workers' political activities and attitudes. This article discusses from a theoretical and empirical viewpoint whether the influence of worker representation reflects increased workplace democracy. The article also discusses possible policy implications

Vergabe der Kohle-Fördermittel nimmt langsam Fahrt auf: Zweiter Zwischenbericht zur begleitenden Evaluierung des Investitionsgesetzes Kohleregionen (InvKG) und des STARK-Bundesprogramms erschienen

Am 13. Februar 2025 wurde der zweite Zwischenbericht zur begleitenden Evaluierung des Investitionsgesetzes Kohleregionen (InvKG) und des STARK-Bundesprogramms von den Wirtschaftsforschungsinstituten IWH und RWI veröffentlicht. Die Evaluierung, die im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz durchgeführt wird, analysiert die Fortschritte der Programme, identifiziert die Wirkungen der Förderung und gibt konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen, wie die Maßnahmen optimiert werden können, um die Transformation der vom Kohleausstieg betroffenen Regionen in Deutschland erfolgreich zu gestalten