Jan Weiss

Economics

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Jan Weiss, I am German, and I am enrolled in the PhD Programme in Economics at JIBS. I hold a Master's degree in Business Economics from the University of Mannheim, Germany.  

How did you decide to become a doctoral student? And why did you decide to do it at JIBS?

First of all, I have a huge affinity for Economics with its main branches micro and macroeconomics. This interest has become ever stronger during my studies in Business Economics where I used to find classes in Economics particularly exciting. A second reason why I chose to apply for a PhD Programme in Economics is my quest for intellectual challenges. The PhD studies are definitely challenging given, on the one hand, the broad range of issues, the subject covers and the complex questions it attempts to answer, respectively.

Another motive behind my wish to enrol for a PhD in Economics is my passion for socioeconomic research and, accordingly, for publishing research results. I have particularly noticed this when writing my Master’s Thesis but also when working with an empirical research project on transportation economics during an internship at the United Nations. Besides, I have published on a rather mundane level as a freelance journalist for a German newspaper for a long time. Related to that, I like applying and imparting research results, for example, during teaching my sessions at JIBS or when conducting consultancy work (I have been involved in two projects abroad during my time at JIBS, which was very exciting). JIBS’ international configuration, and in particular the international linkages of the Department of Economics, have definitely played a large role in my decision to apply for the PhD Programme. Moreover, I appreciate the flexible and entrepreneurial mind-set at JIBS, and the friendly open-door atmosphere in my department: in some sense you feel like being part of a start-up firm.

What are your main research interests?

I am, on the one hand, interested in research related to international trade and regional economic development. For example, in my PhD Thesis I empirically test how spatial determinants, such as local export spillovers, affect Swedish manufacturing firms’ export performance. On the other hand, I have an affinity for environmental and industrial economics, and I try to do research at the intersection of those two branches. For instance, using data on Swedish pulp and paper firms, I econometrically examine whether environmental regulation has a positive effect on firms’ innovation and operating performance or not.

What is the best thing with working at JIBS?

The international and entrepreneurial mind-set, and the friendly open-door atmosphere!