Abstract (Translated):
With the widespread application of inventory control Systems in industry and trade and a fast growing Services sector the influence of inventory changes on the business sector should become less important over time. However, the empirical eyidence for Germany in the period 1970-1994 shows that especially at cyclical turning-points inventory fluctuations continue to have a major impact on overall oütput. Additional research süggests that inventones in Germany are not part of the monetary transmission mechanism but work as an accelerator when there is a turnaround in final demand.