Tim Friehe

Tim Friehe is Professor of Economics at the School of Business and Economics, Philipps University of Marburg, where he leads the Public Economics research group within the Department of Economics. His academic work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical policy implications, focusing on how legal institutions and economic behavior interact.

Professor Friehe's research interests span several interconnected domains in economics. His primary focus is Law and Economics, where he examines liability rules, enforcement mechanisms, and legal decision-making processes. Within Public Economics, he investigates tax compliance, political regimes' economic impacts, and environmental policy. His Behavioral Economics research explores how psychological factors influence economic decisions, particularly regarding risk perception, social norms, and present bias. His methodological approach combines theoretical modeling with empirical analysis to address questions of policy relevance.

Professor Friehe's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly productivity across multiple journals in economics and law. His work shows a clear trajectory from foundational studies on enforcement and liability toward more nuanced examinations of behavioral factors in legal-economic contexts. Recent publications increasingly incorporate experimental methods and behavioral insights while maintaining rigorous theoretical foundations. His research has significant implications for policy design in areas ranging from consumer protection to environmental regulation.

• American Law & Economics Review 2024 Best Theory Paper Award for 'The Optimal Use of Fines and Imprisonment Revisited'

Professor Friehe actively supervises both Bachelor's and Master's theses, with research topics spanning image concerns, product safety, social norms, tax competition, present bias, self-control, corruption detection, principal-agent relationships in litigation, prospect theory, tax morale, and manager overconfidence. He also engages students in research through key qualification credits, where they contribute to literature reviews, data collection, and preparation for ongoing projects. His team includes doctoral candidate Cat Lam Pham and research fellow David Berthold, with whom he frequently collaborates on publications.