Max Planck Institute of Economics - Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner

	Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner
	Associate Director
	Max Planck Institute of Economics, Evolutionary Economics Group Kahlaische Straße 10 D-07745 Jena Germany
	e-mail:
	This page is not maintained anymore since december 2007.
Research Publications Teaching

Research Projects

Evolution of localised industrial clusters - theoretical and empirical analysis

This research project aims to develop a detailed understanding of how, when and where localised industrial clusters evolve. To this end, four steps are taken. 1) On a theoretical basis the local processes and mechanisms that are responsible for the evolution of industrial districts are identified. According to these mechanisms the existing literature is structured. 2) The various local processes are studied separately, with the help of empirical analyses that exist in the literature or are conducted during the project. 3) The finding on local mechanisms are used to develop a simulation model that contains all important processes. Then the theoretical implications and the results of the simulation approach are compared with the spatial distribution of economic activity in Germany. 4) On the basis of the simulation model and the theoretical considerations several topics are approached, like the local prerequisites for clustering and the possibilities for political measures to support the emergence of clusters.

Learning processes in economics - modelling and its implications

Learning processes occur in various forms and economic contexts. This research project aims to classify different learning process, establish a modelling devise for each of them and study their implication for several economic situations. The classification of learning processes is done on the basis of theoretical considerations and psychological findings. It also identifies the circumstances that are responsible for the occurrence of one or another learning process. With the help of experiments reported in the literature and conducted during the project, mathematical models are developed for each of the learning processes. These are applied in several economic contexts including:

Games
Consumption behaviour
Decision making under risk
Diffusion of innovations

Related Interests

Innovations and technology development
Agent-based computational economics
Evolutionary game theory
Technological change and quality of Labour
Consumer theory
Dynamic and stochastic models

Publications

Fornahl, D. and Brenner, T.: Die Stadt Jena - Historische Spezialisierung und Neuorientierung in Gründungsaktivitäten., in: Rolf Sternberg (Hrsg.): Deutsche Gründungsregionen, Lit Verlag Berlin, 2006, 103 - 132
Brenner, T.: A methodology to identify local industrial clusters and its application to Germany, in: Horst Hanusch and Andreas Pyka (Eds.): Elgar Companion to Neo-Schumpeterian Economics, Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA, USA, Edward Elgar, 2007, 556-573.
Brenner, T., 'Local Knowledge Resources and Knowledge Flows, Industry & Innovation', Vol. 14 (29), 2007, 121-128
Brenner, T.: Agent Learning Representation: Advice on Modelling Economic Learning. in: L. Tesfatsion, K.L. Judd (eds.). Handbook of Computational Economics, Vol. 2. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, 2006, 895-947.
Brenner, T.: Identification of Local Industrial Clusters in Germany, Regional Studies, Vol. 40.9, December 2006, pp. 991-1004, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution #0304 (Abstract), Download pdf-File
Brenner, T. and Vriend, N. J.: On the behavior of proposers in ultimatum games, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Vol. 61, 2006, 617-631, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution #0308 (Abstract), Download pdf-File
Brenner, T. and Fornahl, D.: Lokale Cluster - Theorie, empirische Erkenntnisse und politische Implikationen., in: Reith, R., Pichler, R. and Dirninger, C. (Hrsg.): Innovationskultur: Modelle - Indikatoren - Transfer. StudienVerlag Insbruck, 2006, 185-210
T. Brenner and A. Gildner: Long-term Implications of Local Industrial Clusters, European Planning Studies, Vol. 14, No. 9, October 2006, 1315-1328, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 0608, Download pdf-File
Brenner, T. and Greif, S.: The Dependence of Innovativeness on the Local Firm Population - An Empirical Study of German Patents, Industry and Innovation, Vol. 13 (1), March 2006, 21-39, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 0306 (Abstract), Download pdf-File
Brenner, T., 'Innovation and Cooperation During the Emergence of Local Industrial Clusters: An Empirical Study in Germany', European Planning Studies, 13(6), 2005, 921-938, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 0205 (Abstract), Download pdf-File
T. Brenner, D. Helbing, U. Witt and S. Lämmer: Network-induced behavior in material flow networks and irregular business cycles, Physical Review E 70, 2004, 056118, 1-6, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 0408, Download pdf-File
Brenner, T.: Local Industrial Clusters, Existence, Emergence and Evolution, Routledge, London,2004
Brenner, T.: Physik für Betrieb und Konjunktur, Physik Journal, Vol. 2, 2003, 51-56
Brenner, T. and Fornahl,D.: Politische Möglichkeiten und Maßnahmen zur Erzeugung lokaler branchenspezifischer Cluster, in Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftswissenschaften, vol. 54, 2003, 73-100
Brenner, T. and Fornahl, D.: "Introduction: Towards a Political Perspective and Unifying Concept." in Fornahl, D. and Brenner, T. (eds.): Cooperation, Networks and Institutions in Regional Innovation Systems, Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, 2003, 1-11, Download pdf-File
Fornahl, D. and Brenner, T. (eds.): Cooperation, Networks and Institutions in Regional Innovation Systems, Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, 2003
Joosten, R., Brenner, T., Witt, U.: Games with frequency-dependent stage payoffs, International Journal Game Theory, Vol. 31, 2002 (Oct. 2003), 609-620, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 0003
Brenner, T. and Fornahl, D.: Theoretische Erkenntnisse zur Entstehung und Erzeugung branchenspezifischer Cluster, in K. Dopfer (Hrsg.), Studien zur Evolutorischen Ökonomik VII. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2003, 133-162.
Brenner, T. and Witt, U.: Melioration Learning in Games with Constant and Frequency-dependent Payoffs, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organisation, Vol. 50 (4), 2003, 429-448, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 9706
Brenner, T.: Policy Measures to Support the Emergence of Localised Industrial Clusters, in D. Fornahl and T. Brenner (eds.): Cooperation, Networks and Institutions in Regional Innovation Systems. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2003, 325- 350. Download pdf-File
Brenner, T., Weidlich, W. and Witt, U.: International Co- movements of Business Cycles in a 'Phase-Locking' Model, Metroeconomica, Vol. 53, 2002, 113-138, previously as Discussion Papers on Economics and Evolution # 9802
Brenner, T.: A Behavioural Learning Approach to the Dynamics of Prices, Computational Economics, Vol. 19, 2002, 67-94.
Brenner, T.: Mathematische Methoden im Rahmen der evolutorischen Ökonomik, in M. Erlei and M. Lehmann- Waffenschmidt (eds.), Curriculum Evolutorische Ökonomik, Marburg: Metropolis, 2002, 241-254.
Brenner, T.: Implications of Routine-based Learning for Decision Making, European Journal of Economic and Social Systems, Vol. 15, 2001, 131-152.
Brenner, T. and Fornahl, D.: Lokale Industrielle Cluster - Ein evolutionärer Ansatz, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Studium WiSt, Vol. 11/2001, 53-55.
Brenner, T.: Komplexität und Lernen: Überblick über die mathematischen Methoden und Modelle, in Jahrbuch Ökonomie und Gesellschaft, Bd. 17: Komplexität und Lernen, Marburg: Metropolis Verlag, 2001, 49-96.
Brenner, T.: Simulating the Evolution of Localised Industrial Clusters - An Identification of the Basic Mechanisms, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Vol. 4 (3), 2001, 4. external: http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/JASSS/4/3/4.html, Abstract
Brenner, T. and Weigelt, N.: The Evolution of Industrial Clusters - Simulating Spatial Dynamics, Advances in Complex Systems, Vol. 4, 2001, 127-147. Abstract, Download pdf-File
Brenner, T.: Diffusion and Waves of Innovations: A Learning Perspective, in s. Holly (ed.) Computation in Economics, Finance and Engineering: Economic Systems, Pergamon, Oxford, 2000, 87-92
Brenner, T.: Modelling Learning in Economics, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 1999
Brenner, T. (ed): Computational Techniques for Modelling Learning in Economics, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, 1999
Brenner, T.: Cognitive Learning in Prisoner's Dilemma Situations, in T. Brenner (ed.): Computational Techniques for Modelling Learning in Economics, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, 1999, 333-361
Brenner, T.: Can Evolutionary Algorithms Describe Learning Processes?, Journal of Evolutionary Economics (8), 1998, 271 - 283
Brenner, T.: Decision Making and the Exchange of Information, in F. Schweitzer (ed.): Self-Organization of Complex Structures: From Individual to Collective Dynamics, vol. II, Gordon and Breach, London 1997, 379-392
T. Brenner and G. Bünstorf: Knowledge as an Result of Learning, in E. Lefebvre & R.Cooper: Proceedings "Uncertainty, Knowledge and Skills" (1997)
Weidlich, W. and Brenner, T.: Dynamics of Demand Including Fashion Effects for Interacting Consumer Groups, in A. Wagner & H.-W. Lorenz (eds.): Studien zur Evolutorischen Ökonomik III, Dunker & Humblot, Berlin
T. Brenner and W. Weidlich: Consumer Behaviour and Interpersonal Interaction, in G. A. Marcooulides: Proceedings of the Western Decision Science Institute (1995), p. 162 - 165

Refereed Working Papers and Papers in Proceedings

T. Brenner and C. Werker: A Practical Guide to Inference in Simulation Models # 0602, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner: A Stochastic Theory of Geographic Concentration and the Empirical Evidence in Germany # 0523, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner: The Regional Industry-size Distribution -- An Analysis of all Types of Industries in Germany # 0516, Download pdf-File
T. Broekel and T. Brenner: Local Factors and Innovativeness - An Empirical Analysis of German Patents for Five Industries #0509, 2005, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner and C. Cordes: The autocatalytic character of the growth of production knowledge: What role does human labor play? #0412, 2004, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner and C. Werker: Empirical Calibration of Simulation Models #0410, 2004, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner and P. Murmann: The Use of Simulations in Developing Robust Knowledge about causal processes: Methodological Considerations and an Application to Industrial Evolution #0303, 2003, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner and T. Slembeck: Noisy Decision Makers. On Errors, Noise and Inconsistencies in Economic Behavior #0108, Jena 2001
T.Brenner: Self-organisation, Local Symbiosis and the Emergence of Localised Industrial Clusters #0103, Jena 2001, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner: The Evolution of Localised Industrial Clusters: Identifying the Processes of Self-Organisation #0011, Jena 2000 Abstract, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner: The Dynamics of Prices - Comparing Behavioural Learning and Subgame Perfect Equilibrium, Papers on Economics & Evolution #0001, Jena 2000 Abstract, Download pdf-File
T. Brenner: Consumer Behavior, Reinforcement Learning and the Dynamics of Fashion Papers on Economics & Evolution # 9903, Jena 1999
T. Brenner: Reinforcement Learning in 2 x 2 Games and the Concept of Reinforcably Stable Strategies, Papers on Economics & Evolution #9703, Jena 1997
T. Brenner: Learning in a Repeated Decision Process: A Variation-Imitation-Decision Model, Papers on Economics & Evolution #9603, Jena 1996 (Abstract)
T. Brenner: An Evolutionary Approach to Decision Making under Uncertainty, Papers on Economics & Evolution #9401, European Study Group for Evolutionary Economics 1994

Vorlesungen und Seminare

Winter Term 2006 / 2007:

Vorlesung "Innovationssysteme - Theoretische und politische Aspekte" [PDF]

Zeit: Montag 16-18 Uhr
Beginn: 16. Oktober 2006
Ort: Max-Planck-Institut, Kahlaische Str. 10, Seminarraum V14 in der Villa

Summer Term 2006:

Vorlesung "Anwendungsorientierte, Computerbasierte Statistik" [PDF]

Personenkreis: Nur Teilnehmer des Seminars "Politische Möglichkeiten in Innovationssystemen"
Termine:
    24.04.2006, 17:45-19:30
    08.05.2006, 16:00-19:30
    15.05.2006, 16:00-19:30
    22.05.2006, 16:00-19:30
    29.05.2006, 16:00-19:30
    12.06.2006, 16:00-19:30
Ort: Max-Planck-Institut, Kahlaische Str. 10, Seminarraum in der Villa

Aufgabenblatt 1 and Worker.xls
Aufgabenblatt 2 and Umsatz.xls
Aufgabenblatt 3 and Inno.xls
Aufgabenblatt 4 and Pat.xls

Seminar (Jena) "Politische Möglichkeiten in Innovationssystemen" [PDF]

Bewerbungsfrist: Die Anmeldung muss bis zum 31. März 2006 bei eingehen.
Einführungsseminar: 24. 04.06, 16:00 Uhr
zum Wirtschaftsspiel (incl. Spielbeschreibung)

Seminar (Hohenheim) "Innovation Economics"

zum Wirtschaftsspiel (incl. Spielbeschreibung)

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Last Modification: 2009-10-05, 11:55Imprint

Staff of the Max Planck Institute

Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Brenner