Page 51 - Invited Paper Session (IPS) - Volume 2

IPS178 Stephan Müller
of both sides. On the one hand, economists need data and ask statisticians to
review the use of the data in the text. On the other hand, statisticians actively
approach economists when they see potential difficulties in using the data. In
this context, both sides look at the data from a different perspective.
Economists are more likely to examine the macroeconomic situation from a
macro perspective. By contrast, statisticians look more closely at the individual
data and their potential impact on economic development.
When considering communication processes in the context of the
Monthly Report, as described above, it is always important to note that the
overall goal is to provide the reader with the most accurate information
possible. This means that the reader’s interest in economic developments
must be at the focus. As a result, the text of the Monthly Report may need to
be adjusted to avoid statistical difficulties and to provide a clearer picture of
the situation that can better convey the intended messages. Close and
personal cooperation at both the operational and managerial levels that
emphasises the advisory nature of the role of statisticians thus helps to
significantly improve the Monthly Report, which is one of the Bundesbank’s
key publications.

b) Work on conceptual issues
The implementation of temporary and interdisciplinary working groups
provides a suitable framework for joint and cross-domain cooperation. In
particular, more detailed analysis of conceptual issues is possible in this way.
Communication between different working group members, who come from
different subject areas, therefore takes place in a fairly organised way, but also
regularly and directly between the different experts. A good example in this
regard is the temporary working group of DG Economics and DG Statistics
that was set up in early 2015 to investigate the effects of the relocation/re-
establishment of national business units of multinational enterprises (MNEs)
on national and international economic statistics, the possible problems in the
collection of statistical data, and conceivable practical solutions. As part of the
working group, about ten experts from DG Economics and DG Statistics have
worked closely together on developing proposals for possible approaches on
how to enhance the composition of GDP with regard to the effects of
globalisation from the user’s point of view.
The interdisciplinary cooperation and resulting communication promote
a fundamental understanding of statistical concepts and practice among the
users. For example, a better understanding of the economic ownership
principle can be acquired. Conversely, this kind of communication can give
statisticians an understanding of the users’ basic needs. This entails
familiarising statisticians with the possible economic uses of their statistical
data. This could, for example, involve the use of GDP data for estimating

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