About CEFAU
CEFAU is an economic research and analysis centre consisting of researchers and analysts who share a common interest in the business sector and the frameworks and conditions that surround it.
The centre's vision is to be a relevant and independent source of knowledge and to provide reliable, fact-based perspectives on key topics of importance to both the business community and society at large.
We translate our vision into action by:
- Conducting independent economic research of the highest international academic standards on issues of great relevance for the business community and for society
- Providing fact-based analyses and policy recommendations to aid private and public decision-makers
- Offering systematic insights on framework conditions and their interaction with firm performance and the business environment
- Disseminating research findings and analyses results to the academic community, firms, and stakeholders at large
CEFAU was established in 2025 with the support of a donation from Købmand Herman Salling’s Foundation and is physically located at the Department of Economics at Aarhus University.
“Firms and industry dynamics have a decisive impact on a wide range of societal outcomes such as globalisation, the green transition, and technological development – yet our understanding of firms’ opportunities, barriers, and interaction with political framework conditions remains largely incomplete.”
The Centre Directors about the centre
The two pillars of CEFAU
CEFAU consists of two pillars: CEFAU Research and CEFAU Analysis, each created with its own distinct purpose. CEFAU Research teaches and focuses on in-depth, data-driven university research, while CEFAU Analysis conducts shorter, timely analyses on current affairs and policy topics and actively contributes to the public debate on business and industry. Together, the two pillars make CEFAU a strong and independent knowledge provider.
Research methodology
CEFAU employs cutting-edge empirical and theoretical methodologies. We have access to extensive Danish register data at the firm level, which enables us to examine firm behavior and their interaction with economic markets. Our focus is on how business dynamics and framework conditions influence corporate decision-making and profitability.
We aim to shed light on decisions made within individual firms as a consequence of economic market conditions and politically determined framework conditions, and to investigate how firms manage to remain competitive in a dynamic world. We make our findings accessible to businesses and policymakers to ensure that decisions are made on the most informed basis possible.
