The primary task of the Economic Studies Division is to connect theory and policy through policy-oriented research that employs the most recent achievements of economic and financial theory and empirical methods. The division seeks to augment the Bank’s know-how in the field of fundamental monetary policy problems and prepares background papers for the decision-making bodies of the Bank, while at the same time helping the OeNB to gain national and international prestige in research. Furthermore, the division is integrated into national and international networks of central banks and scientific institutions, and it represents OeNB in various working groups, committees, workshops and conferences at an international level.