Informal economic activities [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Andreas Bühn

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften INFORMAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Dr. rer. pol. vorgelegt von Andreas Bühn Diplom-Volkswirt geboren am 05. März 1978 in Bad Saarow-Pieskow Dresden, 15. Juni 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation would not have been completed without the assistance and support of a number of people. I am indebted to Professor Alexander Karmann, providing me with the opportunity to work as a research assistant and to write my PhD thesis at his Chair of Monetary Economics at the Technische Universität Dresden. I’ve learned a lot from him and without his continuous support and guidance, active interest in my work, patience, motivation, and enthusiasm I would not have completed my dissertation successfully. I also appreciate the advice of my second referee, Professor Marcel Thum, who presented me with helpful questions, gave me insightful comments and reviewed my work at very short notice. Besides my advisors, I would like to thank the rest of my thesis committee, Professor Alexander Kemnitz (who chaired the committee) and Professor Udo Buscher, for their willingness to become committee members and their critical comments. I am also greatly indebted to Professor Friedrich Schneider for getting me interested in informal economic activities and his tremendous support over the last 4 years. Thank you, Fritz!