Call for Papers
Workshop: Determinants and Impact of Commodity Price Dynamics

Organized By:
Ansgar H. Belke, Universitat Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Martin T. Bohl, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster, Germany
Pierre L. Siklos, Wilfrid Laurier University and Viessmann European Research Centre, Waterloo, Canada
Oliver von Ledebur, Johann Heinrich von Thunen-Institut, Braunschweig, Germany
26 June 2014, Munster, Germany

Besides the crises of the last decade the world faced another economic challenge: the global rise in commodity prices. While high energy prices might have weakened the recovery process of countries affected by the global financial crisis and lowered global growth rates, high agricultural prices have pushed millions of people into poverty. Some argue that fundamental shifts have caused commodity prices to spike. Others hypothesize that the increasing process of financialization and speculation in commodity markets has pushed prices and volatility upwards. This workshop tries to shed some light on the causes and consequences of the commodity price boom. In addition, it seeks regulatory and economic advices for politicians and regulatory authorities.

TOPICS: Topics to be considered for the workshop include but are not limited to:
- historical developments and characteristics of commodity markets;
- impact of commodity prices on economic growth, international trade and poverty;
- process of financialisation in commodity markets and its impact on prices and volatility;
- importance of fundamentals and speculative bubbles on commodity prices;
- role of speculators and commodity index traders;
- functioning and regulation of commodity futures markets.

We especially welcome empirical papers, but we will also consider theoretical work. One session will be devoted to presentations by PhD students. Academics and policy makers are encouraged to submit papers.

LOCATION: The workshop will take place on 26 June 2014 in Munster, Germany.

EXPENSES: Expenses for travel (economy class round-trip) and accommodation will be partially covered for speakers.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Only complete research papers (PDF versions only) should be sent by 1 November 2013 to: Joscha Beckmann, Email: joscha.beckmann@uni-due.de

NOTIFICATION: Notifications of acceptance will be sent by 1 December 2013. Authors should confirm their participation by 15 January 2014.

PUBLICATION: After the workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to submit their papers to KREDIT und KAPITAL, a journal that will publish a peer-reviewed special issue of the workshop submissions (http://www.kredit-und-kapital.de). Editors of the special issue are Ansgar H. Belke and Oliver von Ledebur.

WEBSITE: More detailed information on the workshop will be available soon at http://www.wiwi.uni-muenster.de/me/workshops/index.html